Many families have members who smoke cigarettes, even though smoking causes many problems, including emphysema and cancer. There is also a strong correlation between smoking and teeth damage.
If you cannot quit smoking, consider how it is damaging your teeth and smile. Perhaps it is the motivation you need to change the way you view tobacco use. You can always seek professional help at Lovett Dental Pearland. Several cosmetic dentistry services can restore your dental health if smoking has damaged your teeth.
Smoking and Your Teeth Damage
Smoking leads to the formation of tartar and plaque. Chemicals from cigarettes can affect saliva flow in your mouth, making it easier for mouth bacteria to bind to gums and teeth. Excessive accumulation of bacteria along the gumlines and teeth can heighten plaque formation, which hardens to form tartar.
Tartar and plaque can increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Such dental health issues often attack the teeth’s roots and can cause loss of teeth.
If you have a dental infection, get in touch with a Lovett Dental Pearland dentist for professional help. The available treatment options can include:
- Fillings and sealants
- Root canals
- Tooth extractions
- Family dentistry
- Fluoride treatments
- Crowns and bridges
Gum Disease and Weakened Immune System
Smoking can weaken your immune system. It makes your body unprepared to fight infections, including those in the mouth. If you are a smoker, your probability of developing gum conditions and other oral health issues is significantly high.
Periodontal infection can cause receding gums, making you lose your oral bone structure. Gum recession often results from gingivitis, which is the formation of plaque under the gums. The bacteria in the plaque corrode the gum lining and increase the spaces between teeth, which increases the chances of infections.
If you fail to treat the infection, it can get to the teeth’s roots and the surrounding bone. The early telltale signs of periodontal disease include:
- Swollen gums
- Red, tender gums
- Bleeding gums
- Loose teeth
- Pain when chewing
Smoking Interferes With Proper Blood Circulation
If you are a chronic smoker, the chances are that your gum tissues are not functioning correctly. The habit makes your gums and teeth more vulnerable to infections by restricting the flow of blood in your oral cavity.
Since smoking weakens your immune system and restricts blood flow in your gums, you may take longer to heal after receiving dental care. As such, the treatment for gum and tooth infections, dental implant surgery, and tooth extraction procedures often require more time for smokers.
Furthermore, smokers’ gums often bleed during flossing or brushing. So the next time you light a cigarette, remember that you should quit smoking, and your teeth will be healthier.
Tooth Discoloration
You introduce tar and nicotine to your teeth with every tobacco product you consume. The chemicals can destroy the white appearance of your teeth quickly. With long-term cigarette use, the yellow stains worsen and can soon cause your teeth to turn brown.
Some consumer products claim to have the power to remove teeth stains caused by smoking. However, the safest and most effective way to eliminate tooth discoloration is to see an expert in cosmetic dentistry. A dental clinic visit for expert oral health services, like tooth whitening, helps restore your tooth’s color.
Learn More About Smoking and Dental Health at Lovett Dental Pearland
It is not just cigarettes that can damage your teeth. Even cigar smokers grapple with the loss of teeth and jawbone destruction. Pipe users experience the same effects as well. Chewing tobacco and snuff can also irritate gums and cause them to recede, leaving the teeth exposed to decay. Once you understand the connection between smoking and your teeth, you need to safeguard your dental health. Contact Lovett Dental Pearland today by calling 281-416-5844 or completing our convenient online form to learn more about mitigating cigarette smoke effects on your teeth.
