We all know the deleterious and dangerous effects smoking can have on the heart and lungs. We have heard the statistics about the direct effect of smoking on the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, bronchial atrophies, throat cancer and the like.
But what about the effect of smoking on your mouth? Well, we are here to tell you that when you smoke, the inhaling does not pass directly to the throat and beyond. Smoking has direct impact on your oral health as well. No matter how many times you brush your teeth or clean your tongue with your TUNG Brush and Gel, if you smoke you are putting your oral health in serious jeopardy.
- Gum Disease: Smoking is a leading factor in the development of gum/periodontal disease because of its effect on the attachment of bone to gum tissue. Smoking interferes with normal tissue development and blood flow, increasing the development of infections and decreasing the ability to heal.
- Tooth Discoloration: Smoking and other tobacco products cause the yellowing and general discoloration of the teeth. If you want to know how bad this can get, smoke through a tissue and look at how just one cigarette discolors it!
- Inflammation of Salivary Glands: The roof of your mouth contains important glands that increase the flow of saliva to your mouth, keeping it moist and working to squash those nasty bacteria that accumulate in the oral cavity – but smoking inflames those glands and hurts their function.
- Increased build-up of plaque and tartar: Plaque and tartar are a leading cause of cavities and bad breath!
- Bone loss: Since your gums are negatively impacted by smoking, the bones within them are at greater risk for disease and reduction without that solid support system. This also means that if you ever need dental implants, the rate of success is diminished without the bone structure needed.
- Increased risk of oral cancer: As mentioned, it is a proven fact that smokers are at significantly higher risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat than non-smokers.
- Bad breath: This goes without saying – imagine smelling or kissing an ashtray, and you get the idea.
But wait…there’s more!
We don’t want our readers to think that all of this applies just to cigarettes. Chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, pipes and cigars ALL increase the chances of your developing significant oral health problems. So whether or not you think you are cool looking like Sherlock Holmes with his pipe or a great baseball player with his “chaw” – looking cool isn’t worth the risk. Would you jump out of an airplane without a parachute? We think not 😉
So please, for your sake and for the sake of your families – be informed, know the risks and think twice the next time you pick up any tobacco product – make it the last time. We want you around for a long, HEALTHY time!
