11 Ways Smoking is Bad for Oral Health

It is highly possible that we’ve all met and talked to someone who had halitosis (bad breath) due to excessive cigarette smoking. Aside from wreaking havoc over one’s social (and romantic) life, smoking affects oral health in many other ways.

1. Smoking increases the risk of tooth loss

Source: Emergency Dental Care Chicago

2. It is the main cause of throat cancers and oral cancers

Source: Patrika

3. It can cause inflammation of the salivary glands

Source: Natural and Alternative Treatment

4. After tooth extraction, healing process may take longer for smokers and may even experience dry socket, a temporary and painful post-extraction condition

Source: Oral and Dental Health

5. Increased risk for periodontal disease

Source: Dental Care Association

6. Smoking can cause loss of taste and smell

Source: Style Craze

7. It gives the teeth an ugly yellow stain

Source: Clinical Dental Sole

8. It may cause one’s tongue to look hairy, yellow, green, brown or black (because of growths on the tongue)

Source: Exodontia

9. Plaque and tartar build up faster in a smoker’s mouth

Source: The Clinical Advisor

10. Smoking increases risk of gum disease

Source: Churn Mag

11. Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth

Source:YGoY

Following the above-mentioned risks, plus the fact that smoking is dangerous to one’s general health, the wisest (although not the easiest) thing to do would be to stop smoking. See your dentist to have your teeth and gums checked, and to screen for oral cancer. You can also do this yourself by checking against these signs:

•  Sores around the face, neck or mouth that don’t heal in two weeks
•  Frequent bleeding in the mouth
•  White, red or dark patches on the cheeks, palate, tongue (or under the tongue); have these checked if they don’t disappear in two weeks
•  Swelling, lumps, bumps on the lips, gums or any part of the mouth
•  Numbness or pain in any part of the mouth

To maintain oral health, brush your teeth regularly, floss, include the use of mouthwash and tongue cleaner in your daily oral hygiene, and go to your dentist for regular teeth cleaning. Many people would agree that when the mouth is clean and fresh, there is less temptation to light up!

RELATED: E-cigarettes may still harm oral health, study reveals