Does Smoking Lead To Tooth Loss?
Posted on: 29 November 2015
Teeth can be beautiful and present a healthy glow, but you must remember to take good care of them. Otherwise, you will have infections you will have to deal with eventually. One of the most damaging things you can do for your oral health is smoke. Gum tissue cells are damaged by the smoke, and this damage can lead to infections such as periodontal disease. The blood flow to the gums can be impaired in a way that may have an effect on how well the gums can heal. The following information explores smoking's damaging effects on oral health.
Evidence
The American Dental Association prepared a study of 23-years of data stating pipes, cigars, and cigarettes all lead to oral health problems. Most users are affected by stained teeth and bad breath. Your immune system has to fight harder to prevent gum infection. Statistics comparatively state the longer you are a smoker, the more chances you are taking with your gums. Treatments for gum disease are less effective for smokers because it's harder for smokers' gums to heal.
Smokers are four times more likely to experience gum disease, which leads to tooth loss. In other words, if you start smoking at 18 and smoke a pack each day, you could lose four to five teeth in your adult life. As your age increases, so does the risk of dental plaque, which destroys teeth. To keep your natural teeth, good dental hygiene is a must. Daily brushing and flossing is one of the best preventive moves you can perform.
Warning Signals
You need to pay attention to your gums, because you may have several indications before you begin to lose your teeth. Here are a few prominent symptoms you should pay attention to and do something about before it is too late:
- Sensitive teeth
- Painful chewing
- Swollen or red gums
- Gums receding from your teeth
- Loose teeth
- Bleeding or tender gums
Each of these may be a sign that smoking has harmed your oral health. You should seek a dentist immediately, as it is possible a treatment plan could save your teeth.
Smoking can lead to many issues, and your teeth are no exception to the rule. You should quit if you begin to have any of these issues. This may be your last chance to save your precious pearly whites; you won't be sorry you have done all you can to save your teeth. Contact a dentist like Robert Tartaglione DDS for more information.
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