Smoking and Dental Problems

Most of us know how bad Smoking is for our health, but did you know that smoking is a major contributor to many of our dental problems? Cigarettes are not the only form of tobacco to blame. Smoking Cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water pipes, also pose dental health concerns.

Some of the Dental Problems associated with the use of tobacco are:

• Increases the risk of Oral Cancer, some signs of Oral Cancer include white or red patches inside the mouth or the lips, a sore or blister in the mouth or on the lip that won't heal. Symptoms may include difficulty chewing, moving the jaw, speaking, or moving the tongue. Frequent or persistent earaches (an earache is usually indicative of an infection). Report any oral bleeding to your dentist and doctor. Bleeding from the mouth can be caused by many things, but it is still a symptom of oral cancer and needs to be checked out. This is a disease that progresses rapidly and if not diagnosed on time can be deadly.
• An increase in gum disease, common symptoms are Red, swollen or tender gums, Bleeding while brushing, flossing, or eating hard food, Loose or separating teeth, Pus between your gums and teeth, sores in your mouth, persistent bad breath, a change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite is also a sign of this disease. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
• Smoking can also damage gum tissue, it causes receding gums which is not reversible and when gums recede they expose the roots of the tooth which eventually leads to tooth decay. Receding gums can also cause tooth sensitivity.
• Can cause bad breath, also known as "Halitosis".
• Also causes stain that cannot be removed with regular brushing.
• Can cause build up and tartar which requires a dental cleaning in order to be removed.

Some myths about the use of tobacco are that if not inhaled it reduces the risks of dental and overall health. The truth is that the use of any type of tobacco whether it be chewing or smoked is still hazardous, because it contains several toxins that are associated with cancer.

Were you aware that smokeless tobacco such as chew and dip contain more nicotine than cigarettes and cigars? According to the American Dental Association, "at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco products.

Hookah and water pipe smoking has become incredibly popular these days. Unfortunately, the water in the pipes does not filter out all of the harmful toxins. So, you are still at risk of oral cancer and all the other risk associated with the use of tobacco.

Quitting smoking and all other forms of tobacco use can provide long term health benefits. If you would like to quit but your not sure how to, one option would be to talk to your Physician or Dentist about how he or she can help.

At Dr. Luckey's office we know that your smile consists of more than just beautiful teeth and healthy gums. We commit to provide our care for you in a pain free manner with lots of TLC, so you will have a reason to smile. You make a difference to us! Visit us at http://www.drluckey.com or call us at 951-676-4556.