Dental Care: Tips for Smokers

06/16/2020

A bad impact of smoking on a person’s health is well-known, but did you hear that cigarettes and all forms of tobacco are the main contributors to dental problems? Of course, the best thing you can do for reducing the negative consequences is quitting smoking; however, to say it is easier than to do.

Dental Problems from Tobacco Use

Smoking causes plenty of problems when it comes to oral health. Smokers are more likely to suffer from tooth losing, serious gum disease, and other things that include such dental concerns:

Stained teeth and tongue. Smoking is strongly associated with the discoloration of teeth. Of course, it is not a very serious problem in comparison to other consequences, however, it makes many smokers suffer from reducing self-confidence and avoiding to broadly smile.
Bad breath. Smokers suffer from bad breath (halitosis) due to the development of bacterial plaque. They try to mask the effects by chewing gum or using mints. But it produces a little benefit in comparison to the overall negative impact of smoking on dental health.
Gum disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Presentation, 47% of adults have periodontal disease, and smoking pushes people to hit this number. Smokers experience diminishing in oxygen in the bloodstream and bacterial plaque that together lead to the development of gum disease.
Oral cancer. Smokers more than other people are predicted to have cancer, that’s why they need to schedule the appointment with a doctor more frequently and not wait until noticing one of 8 alarming signals to see a dentist.
Tooth decay. Smoking causes bacteria and plaque that may result in tooth decay. Tooth enamel of smokers is at higher risk to break down, baring a protection layer, and opening a door to the decay. Untimely placing fillings along with gum disease may lead to a range of serious dental problems, including tooth loss and malocclusion.

Efficient Tips for Smokers

Smoking is one of the bad habits you need to quit to have healthy teeth, but there are several effective recommendations you can start with. Consider these tips to reduce the bad impact of smoking:

Regular mouthwash

Smokers have to do fend their gums better to reduce bacteria in the mouth. Mouthwash is a great idea if you do it properly, so make sure you swish at least for a minute. It will also help get rid of bad breath. Along with mouthwash, you should have the right toothbrush that will reach the most difficult areas, and pay attention to a toothpaste that is made especially for smokers. It is stronger than the usual one in terms of fighting the bacteria.

Flossing every day

Flossing allows removing food particles, debris, and plaque that a toothbrush can’t reach. It helps maintain teeth healthy and breath fresh. In the beginning, you may find flossing tricky, but with daily practice, everything will get easier. Sometimes people feel too tired to floss teeth but smokers must do it every day. In this way, they may miss building up of calculus of teeth. Excessive bleeding while flossing may be a sign of periodontal disease.

Have dental checkup

Smokers should constantly examine their mouth to see whether there is a lesion, lumps, swellings, white or red patches, etc. Along with regular self-examination at home, a person should see a specialist at least twice a year. Do not forget to tell your dentist that you are a smoker so that the specialist can pay more attention to the signs of oral cancer and gum disease. Note, the earlier you detect a problem, the higher chances are for solving it.

Is it Possible to Reverse the Effects of Smoking?

Giving up smoking takes time and effort, but you can approach cosmetic dentistry in Albuquerque if you want to fight the consequences of smoking and restore your smile. Experienced team offers plenty of services aimed at improving your oral health, including:

Veneers. They are thin layers of porcelain or ceramic that are attached directly to your teeth surface. Veneers help hide teeth discoloration and are highly resistant to tobacco stains.
Teeth whitening. You will easily identify when it is high time for teeth whitening. It is a great and effective alternative to dental veneers.
Dental implants. If you lose teeth because of smoking, dental implants may become a great way out. Note that implants are permanent and require visiting the doctor a few times.

The Final Thoughts

Quitting smoking is a beneficial decision for your well-being, including oral health, but it is a long way forward. If you want to reduce the negative impact of smoking, you are recommended to follow daily home hygiene and have regular dental checkups at the dentist’s office. At Gallegos, you can have a detailed consultation from a family dentist in Albuquerque on a particular dental case as well as a necessary treatment to overcome available problems. Schedule an appointment and get professional assistance.