How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

Best Miami Dentist, dental hygienist, and patient smiling

Smoking isn’t only known for causing respiratory-related diseases such as lung cancer and emphysema; it’s also known to cause oral health problems. Whether you’re smoking once a day or a whole pack a day, the best Miami dentist will tell you that you need to stop smoking. To help you understand the adverse effects of smoking on your oral health, you’ll need to pay attention to these facts.  

Best Miami Dentist cleaning patient's teethSmoking and Oral Health

Teeth Discoloration

One of the apparent effects of smoking is tooth discoloration and staining. What causes this discoloration is nicotine, tar, and other chemicals present in your cigarette or tobacco products. The stain on your teeth can vary between yellow and brown depending on how long you’ve been smoking.   

What makes teeth discoloration caused by smoking a cause for concern is that it can’t be easily removed by traditional brushing.  

Gum Disease

Gum diseases, such as gingivitis and other forms of periodontitis, are more likely to occur in smokers than in those who don’t. Tobacco products produce chemicals that cause bacterial plaque to develop on the teeth, cheeks, and gums. Smoking also slows down the healing process of gum diseases because it causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream that carries the other blood cells.   

Oral Cancer

While most people know that smoking is related to respiratory-related diseases such as lung and throat cancer, they don’t know that it can also cause oral or mouth cancer. Before the chemicals are inhaled into the lungs, they pass first to the mouth and throat, which causes different complications such as oral cancer.   

Best Miami Dentist examining female patient's mouthAre You Looking for the Best Miami Dentist?

Tamiami Dental Center is here for you if you’re looking for a reliable dentist who can provide you with excellent oral health services and dental advice. We offer a wide range of dental services that fit all your oral health needs. Get in touch with our team today!