You probably don’t need to be told that smoking is bad for you—most people know the effects of cigarettes on their lungs and heart, not to mention the way that they can dramatically increase your chances of cancer.
But it’s also worth thinking a little bit about the ways in which smoking can affect your oral health specifically. In particular, you might be surprised to learn that cigarettes can lead to dry mouth, which can cause all kinds of problems. Here’s some more information about this connection.
Why is Dry Mouth a Problem?
It may sound strange, but saliva is one of the unsung heroes of your oral health. It contains enzymes that begin the process of digestion, breaking down foods and carrying them into your stomach. This serves the dual purpose of cleaning them out of your mouth, preventing them from contributing to tooth decay.
Saliva is also basic, which allows it to counteract the presence of acids in the mouth that cause enamel erosion.
When your mouth dries out, you no longer have enough saliva to perform these important functions. Chronic dry mouth can therefore cause pretty significant oral health problems over time.
How Does Dry Mouth from Smoking Contribute to Poor Oral Health?
It can be a little bit difficult to disentangle the effects that dry mouth has on you from the other negative impacts of smoking, but one thing is clear: tobacco users are prone to some pretty significant oral health problems.
A 2004 report released by the U.S. Surgeon General noted that smokers have a considerably higher chance of contracting gum disease when compared to non-smokers. This scales with the amount that people use—the longer you’ve smoked, or the more you smoke in a day, the higher your risk of periodontal disease.
CDC studies have also found that these effects carry over to other forms of tobacco, like cigars, pipes, and chewing tobacco.
You probably don’t need someone to tell you that smoking is a bad idea. But if you’re looking for another reason to quit, hopefully the connection between smoking and gum disease gave you some extra incentive.
About Our Practice
At The Elegant Dentistry, we take pride in being at the top of our field. When you come here, you’ll be able the reap the benefits of our team’s incredible expertise. We utilize all the latest techniques in oral medicine and dental technology, which will make the time you spend with us as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
If you have any questions about the dangers of smoking, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (469) 598-1023.