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.