NJ Dental Implants Experts Talk About the Effects of Smoking on Oral Health, PART 1

It goes without debate… smoking has a terrible impact upon the health of your body as a whole. But, while it can be easy to ignore the long-term health risks on a day-to-day basis, what may be a little harder to sweep under the rug are the visible impacts of smoking upon oral health and the quality of your smile. Smoking is an addiction that begins as a choice. While kicking any habit is never easy, the immediate and long term health benefits of such a stoic decision can essentially prevent you from losing your teeth to gum disease or worse, your life to oral cancer.

In this two-part article series, a NJ dental implants professional walks us through the various impacts of smoking upon oral health. Understanding that your beautiful smile is on the line… now what better motivation is there to quit smoking?

The Impacts of Smoking on Oral Health:

• 1. Smoking or chewing tobacco stains your teeth

• The most immediately noticeable impact of smoking on your mouth is the accumulation of nicotine and tar stains on the enamel of your teeth,” says the NJ dental implants professional. “Smoking also discolors the teeth through the increased rate at which plaque and tartar are formed (soft and hard deposits of bacteria, respectively).”

• 2. Smoking irritates the soft tissue in the mouth

The heat from the smoke and the chemicals in cigarettes, cigars, pipes and other tobacco products irritate the buccal lining, tongue and palate, causing the tissue to become red and inflamed. “Smoking can also cause a rash of small bumps to break out on the soft palate and the back of the tongue, which can feel quite uncomfortable,” adds the Connecticut dental implants expert.

• 3. Smoking causes “dry mouth”

Smoking impedes the healthy production of saliva in the mouth. To appreciate the health ramifications of this, one needs to understand how important saliva is for the maintenance of good oral health. “Saliva helps to wash away the food debris that bacteria thrive on,” explains the NJ dental implants expert. “It also contains natural anti-bacterial agents, which help to fight off infection. Patients who suffer from the condition “dry mouth” are therefore at a greater risk of plaque build-up and the resultant problems of tooth decay and gum disease. This is not to mention the discomfort caused by such a condition.”

• 4. Smoking causes halitosis

People who smoke tend to have chronic bad breath, or halitosis. This is not only caused by the smell of the smoke on their breath, but also by the fact that bacteria are more active in their mouths. Bacteria produce waste products that are rich in sulfuric compounds and these smell sour. Gum infections and disease, which are linked closely with tobacco-use, also cause bad breath. “Unfortunately, brushing your teeth after a cigarette won’t do much good,” explains the Connecticut dental implants professional. “The smoke penetrates the tissues in the oral cavity, leaving your breath unpleasant for several hours afterwards.”

Stay Tuned for Part 2

To find out more about the impacts of smoking upon oral health, stay tuned for the second installment of this two-part article series.

Author Bio:

Jack De Richards is a passionate science writer enjoys working with healthcare professionals, NJ dental implants professionals & oral surgeons to convey cutting-edge industry news & information to an international audience.

Jack De Richards is a passionate science writer enjoys working with healthcare professionals, NJ dental implants professionals & oral surgeons to convey cutting-edge industry news & information to an international audience.