Four Oral Health Risks Resultant From Smoking

Identifying oral health problems in smokers and available treatments.

Although a large proportion of the UK population have managed to stop smoking, or have, at least, switched to e-cigarettes, there is still a sizeable section of society, thought to be approximately nine million,  that continue to smoke. It has been a little while since we discussed this topic on our blog, so hopefully, the advice below will act as a timely reminder to Burton patients of Mike Allen’s Dental Practice.

Stained Teeth

The most noticeable sign that someone smokes is often the colour of their teeth. Whilst all teeth will gradually darken over time, a person who smokes is likely to see this happening much earlier. The yellowing effect of tar from the cigarettes can really detract from an otherwise pleasant smile.

Our custom home teeth whitening kits are excellent in cases where the teeth have darkened internally. Where there is heavy staining from smoking on the enamel of the teeth though, replacing the damaged surface using dental veneers may be a more effective treatment.

Gum disease

Gum disease is much more widespread in patients who smoke than those that don’t. There are a number of reasons for this, including the likelihood of a drier mouth, ideal for bacteria to thrive. In addition to this, the irritation from the smoke is likely to exacerbate any soreness or discomfort experienced because of this problem. Whether you smoke or not, but especially if you do, we highly recommend that you see the hygienist at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice on a regular basis. The professional clean will help to rid your teeth and gums of hardened bacteria that would be near impossible to remove yourself.

Infections

Infections of the oral cavity are more prevalent in smokers than nonsmokers. In addition to the fact that this can speed up gum disease problems, it also means that you may not recover as quickly following a surgical procedure such as an extraction. Dental implant patients especially, need to stop smoking both before and after the procedure to ensure that their mouth is healthy enough for the implant to fuse securely with the bone.

Oral cancers

One of the most serious risks of smoking is that of oral cancer. Signs of this are routinely looked for during your regular dental checks and you may be referred to your GP if we detect anything that we feel is of concern. Although oral cancers are not as common as some other types, it can have serious repercussions on the function of your mouth and can also prove to be fatal in some cases, with approximately 2,000 people dying from it each year; more than die in road traffic accidents in the same period!

If you are a smoker, we strongly receommend that you make every effort to stop. Your oral health, and indeed your life, may be at risk if you don’t. At the very minimum you should ensure that your local Burton dentist examines your mouth at least every six months. This helps to minimise the risks of smoking and allows us to refer you to your GP for early treatment should any abnormalities be detected.

To arrange an appointment at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice in Burton, please call us on 01283 845345.