Tobacco Use and Your Oral Health

Tobacco use has a number of oral health issues ranging from discolored teeth, to oral cancer and to other health problems.

Smoking and Oral Cancer

An estimate of around 40 to 50% of smokers die as a result of mouth cancer. 90% of people with oral cancer are reported to have used tobacco in some form. The risk of oral cancer is significantly higher among smokers compared to non smokers. The longer you use tobacco, the greater the risk of oral cancer.

Smoking and Periodontal Disease

Smoking has been associated with over 50% of periodontal disease cases. Bone loss is part of periodontal disease. It begins as an inflammation of the gums. The bones supporting the roots of the teeth become inflamed and the underlying bone starts to deteriorate. There are some non surgical and surgical therapies which reverse or slow the progression of periodontal disease. However, without proper treatment, periodontal disease leads to tooth loss and jawbone damage.

Avoid Any Form Of Tobacco To Save Your Oral Health

Any form of tobacco has its risks. Regular exposure to any form of tobacco compromises your health. For instance, pipe smokers are at risk of getting cancer of lips. Smokeless tobacco are at a greater risk of oral cancer compared to non-tobacco users. Some varieties of smokeless tobacco contain sugar which is a primary cause of tooth decay.

Protecting Your Oral Health

Use the following principles to maintain good oral hygiene regularly:

Quit smoking:

This is essential in significantly reducing your oral problems. The risks also decreases with time when you remain a non smoker.

Brush Properly:

Most people with gum disease develop it from not properly brushing and flossing. Heat and carcinogens in the cigarettes damage your gums and mouth. Tobacco users should therefore be very careful about correctly brushing and flossing and doing so as recommended.

Get regular dental check-ups:

Regular dental check-ups are a good way of catching oral cancer early. The sooner you start the treatment, the higher the chances of survival.

Having Trouble Quitting? Regularly Visit The Dentist

Cutting up and eventually quitting tobacco are among the most essential milestones you can take to not only improve your oral health but also your overall health. Tobacco is highly addictive. People at the highest risk for oral cancer are smokers who do not visit the dentist. By the time oral cancer is detected, it is usually hard to treat. The treatments also become challenging at later stages. In the meantime, visiting the famous Balmain cosmetic dentist, Dr. Lisa Chong, on a regular helps in the early detection of gum disease and mouth sores. Consult you dentist on ways of quitting smoking or use of tobacco today.