Everyone understands the harmful effects of smoking. Although oral health may not be the first thing you consider when thinking about the risks of smoking, the habit can severely damage your mouth. Once you get addicted to smoking and tobacco use, it is challenging to quit without a rehab program. Simply put, smoking and teeth can be a harmful combination. Fortunately, Lovett Dental Sharpstown can help you mitigate the impact through various dental health care services.
Smoking and Teeth Discoloration
Tobacco is not healthy for your teeth. Regular tobacco smoking changes the color of your teeth from white to yellow-brown. You don’t have to be a pack-a-day smoker to experience teeth discoloration. As long as you are a regular smoker, the effects start becoming visible after a while.
Heavy smokers notice the discoloration more quickly than occasional smokers. The discoloration rate depends on the amount of tobacco use and the length of time an individual uses tobacco products. The main point to remember is that it is undeniable that smoking causes tooth discoloration.
Smoking and Tooth Decay
Cigarette smoking can result in severe oral damage. Most health care experts associate gum infections and oral cancer with tobacco use. However, tooth decay is one of the most overlooked effects of tobacco smoking. It is worth noting that dental hygiene is a challenging issue for most tobacco smokers.
Tobacco contains tar that accumulates in your dental area, resulting in tooth decay if you lack proper oral health care. The resultant large cavities around the gum area weaken the teeth, increasing vulnerability to dental infection. In such a situation, you may need to undergo tooth repair or removal.
If you are already experiencing dental problems, visit a dentist immediately for a wide range of services, such as:
- Fluoride treatments
- Dental fillings and sealants
- Dental crowns and bridges
- Root canal treatment
- Ridge augmentation
- Family dentistry
Smoking and Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is also referred to as gum disease. It is a bacterial infection that affects your mouth. If left untreated for long, the infection causes severe impacts on the gums. Although everybody, including non-smokers, can suffer from gum disease, smoking tobacco doubles the risks. Tobacco use and poor dental hygiene make your gums vulnerable to infections.
The most common signs of periodontal infections include:
- Bleeding gums
- Sore gums
- Red and swollen gums
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
It is possible to reverse the impacts of gum disease if you see a dentist early. However, long-term tobacco smoking worsens the disease and can lead to permanent tooth loss.
Smoking and Damage to Jawbones and Teeth
Jawbone damage will emerge if you do not seek oral health services to treat periodontal disease. If you fail to seek emergency dental services, you leave room for the infection to spread into the tissues and the jawbone. The results cause severe bone damage if the condition is left untreated.
A dentist will understand the impacts of smoking on your teeth and the appropriate treatment approaches to remedy the situation and restore your dental health.
Smoking and Tooth Loss
Tooth loss is a common problem that sprouts from untreated periodontal infection. Weakening gums and jaw bone tissues cannot hold the teeth firmly in place. The effects will manifest in loose and shaky teeth, which will fall out if correct remedies are not applied to reverse the situation.
Learn More About Smoking and Oral Health at Lovett Dental Sharpstown
Smoking clearly impacts oral health negatively. Healthy people who do not smoke face dental infections, but the effects become more severe if you are a tobacco smoker. Visit a dentist today for useful tools and resources on managing your dental health for strong, healthy teeth. Call Lovett Dental Sharpstown at 281-975-5560 or complete our convenient online form for more details.
