Cigarettes and Your Teeth
Most of us know that smoking is bad for your health. It can affect almost every organ and system in your body. It can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung disease, emphysema, bronchitis, and so much more. To put it bluntly: smoking is just a bad idea all around. That being said, smoking is also one of the hardest habits to kick due to the addictive power of nicotine.
Corsi Dental is a local dentist in Woodbury. We offer a wide variety of dental services, including dental cleanings, dental implants, root canals, teeth whitening, tooth extractions, dentures, and more. Our family dentist accepts new patients of all ages, and we help special needs patients as well. We accept most dental insurances, too. Below, we’ll take a look at the harm cigarettes and smoking can do to your teeth. Contact our dental office for an appointment today!
CIGARETTES AND YOUR TEETH
Causes Yellow Teeth
Your teeth have very tiny pores like your skin does. When you smoke, the nicotine and tar that are in cigarettes and other tobacco products enter these pores, causing your teeth to yellow or turn brown. Nicotine is colorless, but when nicotine combines with oxygen it shows yellow. Depending on which side of your mouth you smoke the most on, those teeth can become even more discolored than the rest of your mouth. While tooth whitening services can help, your teeth will quickly turn yellow once again.
Can Cause Oral Cancer
When you smoke, you are inhaling toxins into your body via your mouth. These include carcinogens, which are cancer-causing agents. Most cases of oral cancer are found in smokers. You can get oral cancer in your mouth, throat, cheeks, gums, and your lips. Cigar smokers are at risk as well.
Can Cause Cavities
Most people think of the more harmful repercussions of smoking, such as oral cancer mentioned above. However, smoking can also cause cavities. This is because the nicotine in cigarettes causes the unhealthy bacteria on teeth to be thicker than they normally would be and more active.
Periodontal or Gum Disease
Periodontal disease is caused by an infection in your mouth that affects the soft tissues of your gums. If left untreated, this infection can spread and affect the bone that surrounds your teeth, causing tooth loss. Plaque and tartar can cause periodontal disease, both of which are worsened by smoking cigarettes.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is also common to smokers. This can be a sign of the early stages of gum disease. It is also caused by a dry mouth and the cigarette smell itself in your mouth.
Creates Tartar and Plaque Buildup
Once again, it’s the chemicals in tobacco products and smoke that are to blame for an increased amount of tartar and plaque buildup. You have less saliva than you normally do when you smoke, so bacteria find it easier to stick to your teeth and gums. With added layers of bacteria, they can easily harden into tartar, or calculus.
Causes Decreased Blood Circulation
The chemical nicotine causes your blood vessels to narrow. This restricts the amount of blood to your organs, including your brain and gum. Since blood carries oxygen, your organs are not getting the oxygen they need to function properly. If you have oral surgery, such as dental implants, wisdom teeth removal, or a tooth extraction, your body will have a harder time recovering.
CHOOSE CORSI DENTAL ASSOCIATES IN WOODBURY
If you are looking for a dentist in Woodbury, look no further than Corsi Dental Associates. Our local dentists and staff are passionate about helping families have the best dental care possible. We offer preventative dental services, such as general cleanings and X-rays. We offer cosmetic dentistry, such as teeth cleanings. And we offer ClearCorrect, a great way to straighten your teeth without braces.
We offer special needs patient care. We stay abreast of the changes in dental technology, and we strive to bring you the latest in dental technology in order to make your dental visits the best they can be. We treat all of our patients as family, and we’ve seen many grow up from children into adulthood. We love improving our patients’ smiles and ensuring that they have healthy, strong teeth for years to come.
If you are looking for a Woodbury dentist, call our office today!