Smoking is one of the most harmful habits for general health and also for your smile. What effects does tobacco have on oral health?

It is a habit that in many cases begins during youth, and may persist for many years. Quitting tobacco is not easy, but its long-term effects compromise the smile, both aesthetically and functionally. Like smoking, chewing tobacco also has the same effects on oral health.

4 effects of tobacco

These are the main effects of smoking:

Periodontal diseases

Periodontal disease affects the gums and can cause tooth loss. Although its main cause is the accumulation of bacterial plaque, smoking favors its development. According to a study, smokers are twice as likely to suffer periodontal diseases as non-smokers. In a first stage we speak of gingivitis, which causes inflammation and bleeding of the gums. But over time it evolves into periodontitis, which is the irreversible process.

Aesthetic effects

The tobacco causes various alterations that damage the image of your smile. The most common are stained, yellowish teeth and bad breath. These alterations can provoke complexes when smiling, although they can be eliminated with a professional dental cleaning.

Failure of treatments

It has been proven that tobacco causes the failure of treatments such as dental implants or orthodontics. Smoking patients are more likely to develop peri-implantitis, which favors the rejection of implants. In addition, it also causes a delay in the healing of wounds or oral irritations. This favors the development of infections and lengthens the recovery process after an extraction.

Oral cancer

More than 80% of cases of oral cancer and throat cancer are due to tobacco, according to a study. Tobacco has also been linked to cases of cancer of the cheek, gums and the inner part of the lips. Oral cancer is the most serious oral disease and requires treatment with chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

It is very important to abandon these types of harmful habits if we want to show a healthy and beautiful smile. Smoking patients should enhance the routine oral hygiene and increase visits to the dentist, to prevent the development of these complications.

Blog