It’s been well established that smoking can have a largely negative impact on your overall health. But it’s also essential to understand that smoking can have a largely negative impact on your oral health, too. Understanding more about this relationship is key to making good decisions for your health, and your dentist can help you learn more about the best steps to take. In the meantime, here’s what to know about smoking, oral health, and how Dr. Inna Chern can help.
What Oral Health Problems Are Affected By Smoking?
Smoking can make you more likely to experience many different oral health concerns that affect the teeth and gums. These include:
- Gum disease
- Poor healing after surgery
- Tooth and bone loss
- Bad breath
- Mouth cancer
- Smoker’s keratosis
Smokers are significantly more likely to experience periodontal disease, or gum disease. In fact, heavy smokers are 4 to 5 times more likely to experience gum disease. This oral health concern happens when plaque and tartar begin to irritate the gums and soft tissues around the teeth. Left untreated, gum disease can result in damage to the teeth and gums, or even the need to remove the tooth.
Smoking and Slowed Healing
Smoking can decrease your body’s ability to heal and fight off infections. It’s especially important to avoid smoking if you’ve recently undergone a dental procedure. For example, it may cause increased pain and decreased chance of successful healing from dental implants. In one of the worst cases, it may even cause a dry socket after tooth removal.
Smoking and Oral Cancer
Oral cancer affects areas like the tongue, cheeks, lips, or roof and floor of the mouth. Smoking can cause other forms of cancer, but oral cancer can be especially dangerous because of its proximity to the brain. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for oral cancer.
Does Stopping Smoking Reduce Oral Health Risks?
There are many, many health benefits to stopping smoking. More specifically, when it comes to your oral health, stopping smoking can mean your risk of oral health concerns like gum disease becomes the same as those who don’t smoke. Quitting smoking can also allow your teeth and gums to heal more effectively, helping you and your dentist reverse many of the negative effects like tooth decay and preserve your oral health with professional cleanings or restorations. Your risk of oral cancer can also be drastically reduced by quitting. In short, stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health.
Schedule an Appointment
Quitting smoking can be difficult, but your dentist can help. To meet with our team at our Manhattan office, contact New York General Dentistry today by calling or filling out our online form.
For over 20 years, Inna Chern, DDS has been offering personalized, high-tech dental care to Manhattan and NYC residents. With a focus on individualized attention and the latest technology, her modern Midtown East office aims to reshape dental care perceptions in New York by prioritizing patient well-being and innovative services.
