At North Tonawanda Family Dentistry, we take pride in educating our patients on how they can care for and preserve their smile. Not only is it important to us that our patients learn effective dental habits, but we also want our patients to understand the effects of different behaviors on their oral health – from sugar consumption to smoking.
Most of us probably know that smoking can have many negative effects, but we may not know the different ways smoking impacts your oral health. Smoking can lead to gum disease, can stain your teeth, and cause many other serious issues like cancer.
Gum Disease
Smokers are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which builds up and can lead to gum disease. Smoking also limits the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream, making it more difficult for infected gums to heal. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, so it is extremely important to detect gum disease early.
Stained Teeth
Stained teeth are one of the most common issues we see with our patients who are smokers. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes and other tobacco products can cause your teeth to yellow relatively quickly. Heavy smokers often have teeth so heavily stained that they look brown. If you’re a former smoker looking to reverse the damage from years of smoking, we are proud to offer professional whitening services in our office.
Other Issues
Not only does smoking cause gum disease and stained teeth, but it can also cause lung, throat, or mouth cancer. Cancer is a scary word, we know. That’s why it’s so important to understand the effects that smoking has on your oral and overall health.
We encourage our patients to educate themselves about the risks of smoking and are happy to provide resources that can help you quit. If you are a smoker, Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Jean will likely encourage you to take several steps to protect your oral health. In some cases, they may recommend special toothpastes specifically created for smokers or whitening products that can help treat the stains on your teeth. Your hygienist will take extra care while cleaning your teeth, as you’re more likely to have stained teeth. Depending on your individual oral health, we may encourage more frequent cleanings and exams.
As with most ailments, early detection of any oral health issues related to smoking can help us to treat the issue before it gets any worse. For more information about smoking and your oral health, or to schedule your next appointment, call our office today at (716) 692-2273.
We make sure each and every one of our clients’ needs and concerns are addressed in a caring and thoughtful manner. We want your experience to be as enjoyable and efficient as possible here at North Tonawanda Family Dentistry in North Tonawanda, NY.