Your smile is one of the first things people will notice about you, and maintaining its health and appearance is essential for overall well-being. However, no matter how hard you try to maintain great oral health, tobacco use can severely impact your efforts. From the appearance of your smile to your overall health, it can be incredibly detrimental.

At Mills River Family Dental, we understand how difficult it can be to achieve the smile of your dreams when you use tobacco products regularly. Not only can it harm the appearance of your smile, but it can also lead to the development of incredibly harmful oral health conditions. In this blog, we will explore the various ways tobacco use can affect your smile, from discoloration and bad breath to more severe conditions like gum disease and oral cancer.

1. The Color of Your Teeth

One of the most immediate and noticeable changes you will experience as a result of tobacco use is tooth discoloration. The nicotine and tar found in tobacco products are potent staining agents. Over time, they can cause your teeth to turn yellow or brown. 

This staining can be incredibly stubborn and is difficult to remove with regular brushing. If you want to brighten your smile while using tobacco products, you may have to see your dentist for professional cleanings and teeth whitening treatments to restore the natural color of your teeth. 

2. The Smell of Your Breath

If you’ve ever felt like you have chronic bad breath, your tobacco use may be to blame. Regularly consuming tobacco products leads to what many commonly know as “smoker’s breath.” The chemicals in tobacco can linger in your mouth, throat, and lungs.

As you continue to use these products, you are more likely to notice persistently bad breath. The odor from tobacco can be difficult to mask, and often returns shortly after brushing or using mouthwash. Unfortunately, until you discontinue tobacco use, this bad breath will persist. 

3. Your Saliva Production

Individuals who smoke may notice that, as they continue to smoke, they may produce far less saliva than they once did. Both smoking and smokeless tobacco products can reduce your saliva flow, leading to a condition known as dry mouth. 

The chemicals in tobacco impair your salivary gland’s ability to produce saliva efficiently. With less saliva, your mouth becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to avoid this, your dentist may be able to provide you with a saliva substitute. 

4. Risk of Gingivitis

Tobacco use is a significant risk factor for developing gum disease. It affects both the bones and soft tissue of your teeth, impairing blood flow to the gums and reducing their ability to heal. Smokers are more likely to develop periodontal disease, which leads to swollen, bleeding gums.

If you continue to ignore the symptoms of periodontal disease, you may even lose a tooth. While your dental provider can provide treatments for your gum disease,  these symptoms may continue to persist while you continue to use tobacco products. 

5. Chance of Oral Cancer

The use of tobacco products is linked to a variety of cancers, including lung, esophageal, pancreatic, and stomach cancers. However, you might not think about how your tobacco use increases your risk of oral cancer. 

Tobacco use is a major risk factor for developing oral cancers, which can affect the lips, tongue, cheeks, and throat. Oral cancer can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated early. Attending regular dental check-ups can help you watch for signs that these cancers are developing, especially further in your mouth than you can see. 

6. Healing Speed

Cuts and sores in your mouth can be a pain to deal with, as they may interrupt everyday activities. With persistent tobacco use, you may notice a delay in the healing process, especially following dental procedures, like extractions and oral surgeries.

The chemicals in tobacco impair blood flow and reduce your body’s ability to repair itself, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of complications. If you are easily irritated by these small irritations, quitting tobacco products can help restore your ability to heal. 

Recovering from Tobacco Use in Mills River, NC

When you choose to give up tobacco products, it is essential that you find a reliable dental team to help you recover from the variety of oral health ailments you experience as a result. If you are looking for a reliable dental team to help you recover from oral health conditions as a result of tobacco use, turn to our team at Mills River Family Dental for support. 

For years, we have provided comprehensive dental treatments to patients across the Mills River, North Carolina, area, and we’re confident that we are the right team for you as well. From professional teeth whitenings and cleanings to root canals, dental implants, and more, we provide a variety of services to help every patient achieve their best oral health.

If you would like to learn more about how our team can help you recover from oral health conditions as a result of tobacco use or if you have any questions about our services, don’t hesitate to contact us today. 

When you’re walking down the toothpaste aisle at the store, there are many tubes to choose from. From whitening and cavity-fighting to tartar-controlling and sensitive teeth formulas, it might be hard to determine which is the best choice for your oral health. Although choosing your perfect toothpaste might seem difficult, there are several things you can do to ensure you’re using the right formula.

At Mills River Family Dental, our team understands the importance of brushing your teeth every day. Without the proper toothpaste, you may leave yourself open to the development of harmful and costly dental problems. If you are struggling to find your perfect toothpaste and you want to know what the experts recommend for your teeth, keep reading. 

How Different Can Toothpaste Formulas Really Be? 

While you may not realize it, toothpaste can vary greatly from formula to formula. Fluoride toothpaste, the most common type, is essential for preventing cavities by strengthening tooth enamel, making it a recommended basic preventative measure for most people. Whitening toothpaste, formulated with mild abrasives, aims to remove surface stains and make teeth appear whiter. 

Sensitivity toothpaste is designed for people with sensitive teeth and contains compounds like potassium nitrate or stannous fluoride to reduce sensitivity by blocking pain signals from the tooth surface to the nerve. Natural toothpaste avoids synthetic chemicals and flavors, often using ingredients like baking soda, essential oils, and natural extracts for those who prefer organic options. 

Tartar control toothpaste contains ingredients like pyrophosphates and zinc citrate to prevent the formation of tartar, a hardened form of plaque that can lead to gum disease if not controlled. Children’s toothpaste is specially formulated to be safer if swallowed and comes in kid-friendly flavors to encourage regular brushing habits.

Each toothpaste provides unique benefits, making it essential that you use the right one for your oral health. But finding the right toothpaste is more than just finding a formula that meets your oral health needs. 

Tips for Finding Your Perfect Toothpaste

If you are looking for your perfect toothpaste, there are a few things you should look for. These things include:  

1. A Formula That Meets Your Needs

As mentioned above, when you are looking for your perfect toothpaste, it is a good idea to start by identifying your specific needs. Whether you need to address oral sensitivity, tartar control, whitening, or cavity prevention, determine which is best for you, and you can begin to narrow down your choices. 

2. A Flouride-Rich Formula

Fluoride is an incredibly important dental ingredient. It is responsible for strengthening your tooth enamel, making your teeth more resistant to decay and cavities. When trying to find your perfect toothpaste, unless otherwise advised by your dentist, look for one that contains fluoride.

3. A Flavor and Texture You Like

Toothpaste should make your brushing experience pleasant. If your toothpaste has a texture or taste that you don’t like, you may find yourself less inclined to brush as frequently as you should. While trying to find your perfect toothpaste, test flavors, and textures to find one you enjoy. 

4. An ADA-Approved Formula

While you may be interested in organic or all-natural toothpaste, they may not have the ingredients necessary to protect your teeth. Your perfect toothpaste should have the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval, which indicates that the toothpaste has been tested for safety and efficacy. 

5. A Formula Without Harsh Abrasives

While some abrasives are necessary to remove plaque and stains from your teeth, excessively harsh ones can damage enamel. If you have sensitive teeth or are prone to enamel erosion, your perfect toothpaste may be one that has very few of these ingredients and is gentler on your teeth. 

6. A Toothpaste Recommended by Your Dentist

If you are struggling to find your perfect toothpaste, you may want to speak to your dentist. They can provide personalized recommendations based on your current dental health. They can suggest specific brands or formulations that will benefit you the most. 

The Importance of a Good Toothbrush

While choosing the right toothpaste is important, pairing it with a good toothbrush is equally important for your oral health. A good toothbrush efficiently removes plaque and food particles from your teeth and gums, with soft-bristled brushes being both effective and gentle. It’s essential to choose a toothbrush that feels comfortable and can reach all areas of your mouth, including the back molars. 

Electric toothbrushes reduce plaque and gingivitis more effectively than manual ones, although manual brushes can still be highly effective when used properly. To ensure proper cleaning and avoid bacteria buildup, toothbrushes should be replaced every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed. 

A Team Committed to Improving Your Oral Health

While your at-home oral care routine is important, it is equally important to work with a reliable dental team. If you’re looking for a reliable dental team in Mills River, North Carolina, turn to our team at Mills River Family Dental. With years of experience providing reliable dental care to patients across the area, we’re confident that we can help you address any dental concerns you may have. 

From cosmetic dentistry to general dentistry and everything in between, our team provides a variety of dental services to ensure we’re helping you meet your dental needs. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our team to address your current oral health concerns or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us today.