Dental Problems Associated with Tobacco Use

Most of us know that smoking is bad for our health, but did you know that smoking is also a major factor in many dental problems? The link to dental problems and smoking includes all forms of tobacco use such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco and hookah water pipes.

Dental Problems Associated with Tobacco Use:

• Tobacco use greatly increases the risk for oral cancer, a disease that progresses rapidly and can be deadly if not diagnosed and treated early.
• Tobacco use also increases the risk of gum disease which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
• Smoking can slow down healing after having a tooth pulled or other oral surgery procedures.
• Tobacco use can damage gum tissue and cause receding gums, leaving the roots of the teeth exposed. This could increase the risk of tooth decay and cause sensitivity to hot and cold.
• Any form of tobacco use can cause Bad breath.
• Tobacco use also causes stains on teeth that can't be removed from regular brushing.
• Tobacco use can cause a build up of tartar, which could require more frequent dental cleanings.
• Tobacco use causes the sense of smell and taste to be affected.

Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease (AAP, 1999; USDHHS, 2000). Smokers have more bone loss around their teeth, increased numbers of deep pockets in the gums, and greater calculus formation than do non-smokers (AAP, 1999). The effect of smoking on gum health is so widespread that more than one-half of the cases of gum disease may be attributable to cigarette smoking (Tomar and Asma, 2000).

Cigarettes and Cigars

Cigarettes and Cigars contain several toxins associated with cancer. Not inhaling does not decrease your risk for dental problems. Cigarette and cigar smoking also greatly increases your risk for oral cancer and periodontal (gum) disease.

Smokeless Tobacco (Chewing Tobacco)

Did you know that more nicotine is found in dip and chew than cigarettes? Smokeless tobacco products also contain the harmful toxins associated with cancer. According to the American Dental Association, “at least 28 cancer causing chemicals have been identified in smokeless tobacco products.” Smokeless tobacco products greatly increase the risk factors for oral cancer, gum disease, decay and many other dental problems.

The findings from our study of a representative sample of USadults suggest that adults currently using smokeless tobaccoare twice as likely to have severe active periodontal disease than adults who never used smokeless tobacco. 

Hookah Water Pipes

Hookah water pipe smoking has become popular in some areas lately. Unfortunately, the water in the pipes does not filter out all of the harmful toxins. Hookah water pipes have been linked to cancer and gum disease.

How to Quit

Quitting smoking and / or other forms of tobacco right now can provide long term health benefits. If you would like to quit but don't know how, talk to us about how we can help. In addition, Terry Martin, our Guide to Smoking Cessation offers some very helpful tips and information to help you quit smoking.

Franklin and Grand Isle Quit Smoking Services :call 1-802-524-8484

Tips for Quitting Smoking

1. Set a Date
2. Get rid of your smoking materials the night before you quit
3. Avoid other smokers while they are smoking
4. Focus on one urge at a time
5. Be ready for urges - plan what you will do when you get an urge to smoke
6. Ask others for support

More information coming soon! Here are some brief comments........

Smoking has some obvious implications in dentistry - like bad breath, stained teeth, and wrinkled lips - a tendency to make your smile look 20 years older than you do!

But the serious complications created by smoking are more subtle:

Smoking makes gum disease as much as 70% worse.

If you smoke and have gum disease, your chances of heart attack are as much as 40% higher.

Smoking makes oral cancer a lot more likely in your mouth. Oral cancer is the 5th most common "killer cancer". Oral cancer is quite common and can look completely benign until it has progressed too far to be treated conservatively. In most cases, the initial signs of oral cancer can look like simple mouth sores, small ulcers, and red or white patches. In many cases, removal of oral cancer requires removing large parts of the mouth and/or face, creating very disfiguring cosmetic defects and/or speech defects.

When Smokers Quit

Within 20 minutes of that last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years

20 Minutes

• Blood pressure and pulse drop to a level close to that before the last cigarette
• Body temperature of hands and feet increase to normal

8 hours

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drop to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increase to normal

24 hours

• Chance of Heart attack decreases

48 hours

• Nerve endings start regrowing
• Ability to smell and taste is enhanced

2 Weeks to 3 months

• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases up to 30 percent

1 to 9 months

• Coughing, fatigue, sinus congestion, shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, reduce infection
• Body's overall energy increases

1 year

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half of that of a smoker

5 Years

• Lungs cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 years after quitting
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker

10 years

• Lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker
• Precancerous cells are replaced
• Risk of Cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases

15 Years *** Risk of Coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker!