Teeth and Gums and Smoking and Chewing
Smoking and chewing tobacco is detrimental to your health, but also to the health of your teeth and gums. If you inhale or have a habit of putting a pinch between your cheek and gums Dr. Mike Morris has some advice that just may put an end to your dangerous habit.
Why is Tobacco Bad for Teeth and Gums?
Gum disease affects the soft tissue and bone that attaches to your teeth. Research indicates that smoking affects normal gum tissue function. This makes you more prone to infections such as periodontitis. Because smoking interferes with blood flow, it will affect wound healing, especially after oral surgery.
Tobacco Causes Permanent Staining
Your appearance is affected when you smoke. Your teeth will yellow and change over time. That sickly color you see in a smokers smile comes from smoking or chewing.
Your Burlington dentist explains that although professional tooth whitening can help, it will not affect the long-term teeth and gum issues that come from tobacco use. Also, remember that smoking damages restorations, which cannot be bleached with tooth whitening products.
Your Teeth and Gums are At Serious Risk when You Use Tobacco
Gingivitis, and the more serious periodontal disease, is caused from bacteria that live on the gums. Not only does this irritate gum tissue, but also leads to periodontitis. This disease destroys your jawbone. If left untreated, periodontal disease will cause tooth loss. Smoking and teeth and gums is serious.
Gum disease creates pockets between your gums and teeth. When your gums begin to pull away, food particles become trapped in those pockets. Bacteria love debris. If you don’t deal with gum disease, you are risking tooth loss. In addition, periodontal disease treatments, such as planing and scaling are less effective in tobacco users.
When you smoke or chew tobacco, your immune system is at risk. This makes gum disease and tooth decay more likely. The chemicals in the products are also been found to interfere with the immune system. This will make it difficult to find off an infection.
Smoking and Teeth and Gums Stop the Connection
You can stop the connection between smoking and teeth and gums by kicking the habit. If you are having trouble, contact your dentist in Burlington Vermont or talk to your doctor. The best thing you can do for your teeth and gums is to stop tobacco use.
