Smoking and Your Teeth
Everyone knows smoking can affect your mouth in a variety of ways, and result in a range of aesthetic, social, and health problems. And in common knowledge smoking can lead to emphysema and lung cancer problems. Most people who use tobacco are aware of these risks. There are also side effects of smoking associated with dental health, and is less noticed by the majority. It acts by constricting the blood flow to your mouth and turning it into a breeding ground for bacteria.
Stained Teeth
One of the many effects of smoking is stained tooth enamel. The nicotine and tar in the tobacco can make your teeth turn yellow in very little time, and long-term or heavy smokers often notice that their teeth begin to turn brown.
Bad Breath
All tobacco products cause unpleasant odours in the mouth. In addition, smoking can dry out your mouth. The lack of saliva makes it more difficult for your mouth to wash away odour-causing bacteria, leaving a stale film on teeth and gums.
Diminished Taste
Smoking cigarettes dulls taste, making food less palatable. The toxic chemicals in cigarettes cause taste buds to lose their shape and become flatter, through a process known as vascularization. This eventually makes them less sensitive to taste.
Gum Disease
Cigarette smoke contains lots of tar and chemicals, and this can make your immune system less effective when it comes to fighting off infections like gum disease. In addition, smoking kills off the beneficial bacteria in your mouth, allowing disease-causing bacteria to flourish, resulting in a greater risk for both gum disease and tooth decay. Finally, tobacco products can damage your gum tissue by affecting the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth, resulting in gum recession.
Oral Cancer
The carcinogenic chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause genetic changes in cells of the mouth. This can lead to the development of oral cancer.
Want to know more about your teeth, feel free to visit us at Smileway Dental Clinic Malaysia. Here we provide dental treatment in a comfortable way because we create that’s matters.
