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Smoking can affect your health in several ways, and your mouth isn’t the exception. Smokers are more prone to stains, cavities, and tooth decay, requiring more frequent visits to our dental office in Nashville, TN, to solve the issues that emerge from these infections, like gum inflammation and recession.  

In the last 50 years, great effort has been made to educate consumers about the dangers of cigarettes, helping to reduce their usage considerably. However, most Americans aren’t yet aware of the dangers this practice poses for their oral health. To help you better understand the risks you’re taking, here is a breakdown of how smoking affects your gum health.

How Does Smoking Affect My Gums?

There are several ways in which smoking can affect the healthy function of your gum tissue.  

Increased Plaque Production 

For starters, people who smoke are more likely to produce plaque, a harmful substance that’s produced by bacteria that consume food debris in our mouths. Plaque produces an acid that eats away the dental enamel, leaving you more prone to tooth decay and damaging your gums.  

Reduced Blood Flow 

In combination with this, smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream of the gums, making it more difficult for infected gums to heal. 

Increased Risk of Gum Disease

The combination of an increased amount of dental plaque and damaged gums leaves people who smoke more prone to gum disease. 

Accelerated Infection

Studies have shown that smoker’s infections tend to get worse more quickly than non-smokers. As gum disease is still the most common cause of tooth loss in adults, this combination can seriously damage your gums and overall oral health. 

Increased Risk of Mouth Cancer

To make matters worse, smokers are also vulnerable to mouth cancer. While the effects of cigarette smoke on the lungs and through are well-known, mouth cancer doesn’t have as much diffusion among the population. Still, every year, thousands of people die from this condition. 

Are There Special Dental Products for Smokers? 

There are special toothpastes on the market for people who smoke, designed to be a little more abrasive than ordinary toothpastes to combat plaque with ease. However, for this reason, you should use them with care and the approval of your go-to dentist. We often recommend using these alternately with your usual toothpaste, but not daily. 

Furthermore, smokers frequently get dark spots on their teeth. In these situations, whitening toothpaste might help remove some of the discoloration and improve your smile. 

People who smoke also tend to have bad breath. Products like mouthwashes may help disguise the problem in the short term, but they will not cure it.   

Visit our Dental Office in Nashville, TN, and Combat the Effects of Cigarette Smoke 

To ensure that additional conditions are detected early, you must see your dental team regularly for a routine check-up and a full mouth examination. We will ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy and examine your cheeks, tongue, and throat for any signs of potentially dangerous conditions like mouth cancer. 

Additionally, regularly seeing a dental hygienist can help get rid of any existing plaque and remove visible stains. Request an appointment with Greenwood Local Dentistry and Orthodontics, and let us see what we can do for you!