Smoking cigarettes is bad for your health in general, but it can also have a negative impact on your dental health. In this blog post, we will discuss the effects cigarettes have on your teeth and gums. We will also talk about what you can do to protect your oral health from the damage cigarettes cause. If you are a smoker, it is important to be aware of the risks cigarettes pose to your dental health and take steps to reduce those risks.

The Dangers of Cigarettes to Your Dental Health

Cigarettes are dangerous to your health for many reasons, and those dangers extend to your dental health as well. Cigarette smoking has been linked to an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. Tooth decay is the breaking down of the tooth enamel, which can eventually lead to cavities. Oral cancer is a serious condition that can affect the tongue, mouth, and throat. Cigarettes contain many harmful chemicals, including tar and nicotine, that can damage your teeth and gums.

Decrease in Saliva

Cigarettes also reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva is important for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. It helps to remove food and bacteria from your teeth and gums. When you smoke cigarettes, the amount of saliva in your mouth decreases. This can lead to an increase in tooth decay and gum disease.

Oral Cancer

Cigarette smoking is one of the leading risk factors for oral cancer. Oral cancer can affect the tongue, mouth, and throat. The use of tobacco products, including cigarettes, increases your risk of developing oral cancer. If you are a smoker, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of oral cancer so that you can get treatment as soon as possible.

Quick Stats

If that’s not staggering enough, here is a quick list of stats from the CDC about how smoking can affect your dental health:

• Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and other forms of tobacco cause oral cancer, gum disease, and other oral health problems.
• Untreated tooth decay is higher in people who smoke cigarettes. Over 40% of adults aged 20 to 64 who currently smoke cigarettes have untreated tooth decay.
• Adults aged 65 or older who smoke cigarettes are twice as likely to have untreated tooth decay as those who never smoked.
• About 43% of adults aged 65 or older who currently smoke cigarettes have lost all of their teeth.
• Use of smokeless tobacco is associated with increased risks of oral cancer and can cause white or gray patches inside the mouth (e.g., oral leukoplakia).

What You Can Do to Protect Your Oral Health

If you are a smoker, there are things you can do to protect your oral health.

• Brush and floss your teeth regularly. This will help to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth and gums.
• See your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings. This will help to catch any problems early and keep your teeth and gums healthy.
• Quit smoking. This is the best thing you can do for your oral health. Quitting smoking will reduce your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer.

If you are a smoker, it is important to be aware of the risks cigarettes pose to your dental health. Take steps to protect your oral health by brushing and flossing regularly, seeing your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings, and quitting smoking.

How to Quit Smoking

Cigarettes are harmful to your oral health in many ways. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your teeth and gums. There are many resources available to help you quit smoking.  Talk to your doctor about quitting smoking. They can prescribe medication or refer you to a smoking cessation program. There are also many over-the-counter products available to help you quit smoking. These include patches, gum, and lozenges. Talk to your pharmacist about what products are right for you.

Protect Your Dental Health with Mountain Aire Dentistry

Mountain Aire Dentistry is committed to helping our patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. We offer comprehensive dental care, including preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services. We also offer guidance on how to protect your oral health from the harmful effects of cigarettes. If you are a smoker, we encourage you to quit smoking for the sake of your oral health. We can help you find the resources you need to quit smoking and protect your teeth and gums. Call us today to schedule an appointment.