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
2. It is the main cause of throat cancers and oral cancers
3. It can cause inflammation of the salivary glands
4. After tooth extraction, healing process may take longer for smokers and may even experience dry socket, a temporary and painful post-extraction condition
5. Increased risk for periodontal disease
6. Smoking can cause loss of taste and smell
7. It gives the teeth an ugly yellow stain
8. It may cause one’s tongue to look hairy, yellow, green, brown or black (because of growths on the tongue)
9. Plaque and tartar build up faster in a smoker’s mouth
10. Smoking increases risk of gum disease
11. Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth
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
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Alabang Dental Clinic
Unit 206, 2nd Floor, Westgate Hub Mall, Filinvest Corporate City, Alabang-Zapote Road, Muntinlupa City.
Tel. No.: (02) 241.2478
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Bacolod Dental Clinic
Ground Floor, RL Jocson Building, B.S. Aquino Drive, Bacolod City (across University of San Agustin)
Tel. No.: (034) 709.0329
Mobile No.: (0917) 628.4541
Bonifacio Global City Dental Clinic
2F, Bonifacio Stopover Building, 32nd Street corner Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, 1643 Taguig
Tel No.: (02) 831.1789
Mobile No.: (0917) 872.8297
Cebu Dental Clinic
Ground Floor, Knights of Columbus Square, 36 Archbishop Reyes Ave., Lahug, Cebu City
Tel No.: (032) 412.4505
Mobile No.: (0917) 632.5718
Makati Dental Clinic
2nd Floor, Plaza One Hundred, 100 V.A. Rufino St., Legaspi Village, Makati City (across Medical Towers Makati)
Tel Nos.: (02) 782.9615 , 823.5571
Mobile No.: (0917) 584.6852