Information about the Effects & Risks of Smoking:
HOW Does Smoking Affect Your TEETH?
Smoking is linked to a number of medical conditions,
and given that the oral cavity is the first part
of the body which is subjected to cigarette smoke,
it should come as no surprise that smoking has an
adverse effect on teeth and other parts of the oral
cavity. Various studies have established the link
between smoking and oral health, and this write-up
focuses on the same.
Tooth Discoloration:
Findings of a study carried out by International
Centre for Excellence in Dentistry (University College
London) and Department of Dental Public Health (Guy's
King's & St Thomas' Dental Institute) showed that
while 15% non-smokers reported moderate to severe
tooth discolouration, this figure goes up to 28%
in the case of smokers. Tar and nicotine are known
to cause stains on teeth, and tar deposits on smokers’
teeth are not uncommon.
Build-up of Plaque/Tartar:
Hardened dental plaque is referred to as tartar
(or calculus) and smoking is a known factor that
facilitates tartar accumulation. Tartar, unlike
plaque, is easily visible, and its porous nature
makes it susceptible to further staining. In order
to remove tartar build up, a trip to the dentist
is definitely required.
Periodontal Disease:
Smoking has been linked to periodontal diseases,
and data shows that around 90% of refractory periodontitis
sufferers are smokers. In addition, the prevalence
and severity of periodontal diseases in more pronounced
in existing as well as former smokers (in comparison
to people who’ve never smoked). Data also shows
a link between the severity of the condition and
the number of cigarettes smoked.
Bone/Tissue Loss:
Findings of one study have shown that smoking has
a considerable effect in relation to oral bone loss,
and that it is closely associated with loss of oral
tissue. This study was originally aimed at establishing
the effects of ‘oral burn syndrome’ on dental implants.
Other Dental Problems:
Apart from these, smoking is also linked to other
oral health problems, and these include:
·
Bad breath
·
Increased risk of white patches within the mouth
(leukoplakia)
·
Increased risk of contracting oral cancer
·
Delay in the healing process when dealing with an
extraction or any kind of oral surgery
·
Problems in working with implants (smokers report
of lower success rates)
Is Smoking Cigars or Pipes Any Better than Smoking
Cigarettes?
Findings of a study that was carried over a period
of twenty three years by the American Dental Association
showed that pipe smokers face similar risks of tooth
loss as compared to cigarette smokers; and that
cigar smokers suffer from alveolar bone loss and
tooth loss at the same rate in vis-à-vis cigarette
smokers. In addition, cigar and pipe smokers face
the risk of oral and throat cancers even if the
smoke is not inhaled. Teeth staining, bad breath,
and increased probability of contracting periodontal
diseases come with smoking cigars and pipes as well.
Quitting smoking, you should know, can help you
deal with most problems that affect smokers teeth,
although, if you do not quit in time your teeth
and oral cavity could very well suffer from irreversible
damage.
