25 May Smoking and Tobacco: How is your dental health at risk?
By now, most people know that using tobacco or smoking can be disastrous to your health. From lung cancer to respiratory illnesses and heart disease, using tobacco can significantly shorten your lifespan and reduce your quality of life. If you use tobacco or smoke cigarettes, be sure to bring this up during checkups with our holistic dentist. Our team can perform thorough oral cancer screenings and provide tips for smoking cessation, too.
Some people tend to overlook the oral health risks associated with smoking and tobacco use. In fact, smoking can increase your risks for gum disease and oral cancer. Following is helpful information on how tobacco and nicotine use affect dental health.
Gum Disease
Using tobacco can disrupt the function of the gingiva’s cells, resulting in irritation and inflammation. When the gums are irritated and inflamed, they have a heightened risk for developing periodontal (gum) disease. Periodontal disease is a very destructive health condition that can wreck a person’s oral health and quality of life.
Oral Cancer
Oral cancers can be fatal – especially when they are not detected and removed as early as possible. The carcinogens in tobacco products and cigarettes directly increase a person’s risks for developing oral cancer.
Quitting smoking can help reduce your risk for oral cancer. If you smoke or use tobacco, discuss oral cancer screenings with our holistic dentist. Vigilant attention during routine checkups could save your life. Our team can also provide education on how to perform oral cancer screenings at home. Any changes in the color or texture of oral tissue should be discussed with our staff.
Delayed Healing After Oral Procedures
Smoking and tobacco use interfere with the body’s ability to heal, including oral tissue. This can reduce the success rate of dental implants and affect a person’s recovery after routine procedures such as tooth extractions and gum disease treatments.
Since tobacco users have a heightened risk for many oral health problems, we recommend that these patients practice meticulous oral hygiene and attend routine checkups and cleanings at our practice.
Call Kozlow & Rowell Dentistry to request smoking cessation information or to schedule an appointment with our holistic dentist.