The Effects Of Tobacco On Your Oral Health

Smoking, chewing tobacco, or any other form of tobacco ingestion will absolutely damage your mouth, especially your smile. And as distressing as that is, it’s not just your smile that will suffer; your whole body is put in danger with each puff of a cigarette. Oral cancer, gum disease, and other ailments are widely associated with tobacco use.

How can smoking damage my oral health?

• Tobacco can increase your risk of developing cancers, especially oral cancer and gum disease.
• Smoking can cause tartar build-up on the enamel of your teeth, stained and yellowed teeth and bad breath.
• Tobacco products weaken the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth, causing your gums to pull away, causing receding gums. A receding gum line will expose the tooth roots and increase your risk of developing tooth decay or a sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Smoking can delay healing after a tooth extraction or other oral surgery.

What are some signs of oral cancer?

• Signs of irritation – such as tenderness, burning, or a sore that will not heal
• Pain or numbness in the mouth or lips
• Difficulty swallowing, chewing or moving the tongue or jaw
• Lumps or bumpy patches inside your mouth
• Any sort of color changes to the soft tissues of the mouth – white, gray, or red patches
• Any change in the way your teeth fit together

For more information on how smoking can damage your oral health, or if you’re exhibiting any of the above symptoms, please contact Auburn Family Dental, located in Wichita, Kansas.