The Dangers of Tobacco and Oral Health

Tobacco use, while not as prevalent as it used to be, is still quite popular with people all over the world smoking and chewing products that are loaded with teeth staining tar and nicotine. Nevertheless, did you know that tobacco and oral health are closely related?

Smoking and chewing tobacco affects your overall and oral health in many ways. Tooth staining and bad breath aside there are a lot more things to be concerned about when it comes to tobacco and oral health.

The Connection Cannot Be Ignored

Libertyville Dental Associates explains that there is a connection between tobacco and oral health that just cannot be ignored.

While most people understand the dangers of smoking and chewing tobacco when it comes to overall health, most are completely ignorant to the dangers of tobacco and oral health.

Tobacco and Oral Health

According to Libertyville Dental Associates, smokeless tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, pipes, and Hookah pipes cause gum disease. In fact, more than 40 percent of people aged twenty to 64 suffer from gingivitis or the more serious periodontal disease.

To make things worse, you are more likely to lose your teeth if you suffer from gingivitis or the more serious and incurable periodontal disease.

Research indicates a strong link between oral cancer, heart disease, stroke, and diabetes as well. There has even been a study that links Alzheimer’s disease to peridontitis.

Infected gums are unable to heal as fast if ever. Smoking cigars, pipes, and cigarettes means a lack of oxygen. If you don’t have enough oxygen in your blood stream, your body doesn’t have the strength to heal itself.

Conditions Linked to Gum Disease Include:

• Heart Disease
• Stroke
• Kidney Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Oral and Throat Cancer
• Low Weight Babies
• Premature Babies
• Alzheimer’s Disease

If you smoke or chew tobacco, you are 10 times more likely to get oral cancer. Tobacco use increases your risk of other types of cancers as well.

How Smoking Affects Oral Health

• Wears Down Teeth
• Reduces Blood Flow during Dental Appointments
• Increases Risk of Dental Implant Failure
• Makes Gum Disease Harder to Treat
• Causes Dry Mouth
• Harder to Fight Infections
• Higher Risk of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
• Causes Chronic Halitosis

While some believe chewing tobacco is safer than smoking it is not. In fact, smokeless tobacco contains 28 known cancer causing additives and chemicals.

Other chewing tobacco and oral health dangers include:

• Voice Box Cancer
• Gum Irritation
• Chronic Bad Breath
• Esophagus, Colon and Bladder Cancer
• Periodontal Disease
• Tooth Decay
• Tooth Erosion

Stop Smoking for Better Oral and Overall Health

If you want to stop smoking but can’t, talk to your primary care physician. If you are still smoking make sure you schedule regular dental checkups and comprehensive appointments.

Keeping your oral health in check is imperative at all times, but especially if you are a tobacco user. Book online and schedule a dental checkup with Libertyville Dental Associates today.