What smoking does to your teeth and gums?
Here’s how smoking can badly affect your gums and teeth.
Written by NoFrills Dental
This dental article has been curated by the clinical team @ NoFrills Dental 🙂
October 25, 2022
Most of us are aware by now that smoking jeopardises our health – it’s the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. But you may not realise the damage smoking does to teeth and gums. Smokers are more likely to get stained teeth and bad breath, but there’s an increased risk of more serious problems, such as tooth loss and gum disease.
Other potential oral health issues if you smoke include salivary gland infection and lesions inside the mouth. And while smoking is often associated with lung cancer, it can trigger oral cancer too. Smokers may also have more difficulty recovering after oral surgery. Furthermore, replacing missing teeth can be problematic if you smoke.
Smoking and tooth decay
Nicotine and tar in tobacco products makes smokers more susceptible to plaque build-up on teeth. Plaque is the sticky coating that forms on the surface of teeth. It contains bacteria that produce acids which eat into dental enamel – the outer, protective layer of a tooth.
This can result in cavities and tooth loss.
Tooth decay symptoms
Initial stages of tooth decay may not be obvious. As it progresses, you may get:
- Toothache.
- Tooth sensitivity.
- Small holes in your teeth.
- Difficulty eating.
Smoking and gum disease
Bacterial plaque on teeth can penetrate into the gums and cause gum disease (periodontitis/ periodontal disease). Periodontal disease is the most common cause of tooth loss among adults.
Infection and inflammation from gum disease can damage jaw bone and connective tissues that anchor teeth. Affected teeth can become so loose they have to be extracted. According to the Centers for Disease Control in the USA, smoking doubles the risk of gum disease.
Symptoms of Gum Disease
Signs you may have gum disease include:
- Swollen gums.
- Bleeding gums.
- Receding gums.
- Loose teeth.
Smoking and oral cancer
Chemicals in tobacco smoke increase the risk of oral cancer, which can develop anywhere in the mouth – tongue, gums, floor or roof of the mouth, inner lining of the cheeks, and lips. These substances trigger mutations in oral cellular DNA – nucleic acid that contains our genetic code. The resulting abnormal cells can grow and divide to form a tumour that may spread inside the mouth and to other parts of the head, the neck, and other areas of the body. Survival rates for cancer are promising when the disease is diagnosed early. However, the initial stages of oral cancer may go unnoticed if you don’t have regular dental check-ups. If your dentist or dental hygienist spots apparent signs of mouth cancer, advanced cancer screening can provide a precise diagnosis.
Oral Cancer Symptoms
Symptoms that may indicate oral cancer include:
- Persistent pain in the mouth.
- Ulcers that don’t heal.
- Difficulty eating.
- Speech problems.
- A lump in the mouth, lip or neck.
- Bleeding in the mouth.
- Numb mouth.
- Loose teeth.
Smoking and other oral health problems
Besides tooth loss, gum disease and oral cancer, smoking has been linked with other oral health issues, including:
Immune system at risk
Smoking reduces blood oxygen levels, which weakens the immune system and makes it harder for smokers to fight off an oral infection like gum disease. A compromised immune system also slows the healing process once the damage has been done. This means longer recovery after a surgical procedure such as tooth extraction, dental implants, or gum surgery.
Salivary gland problems
Saliva plays a key role in oral health, washing away bacteria and food debris. Researchers have concluded that long-term smoking compromises salivary glands, with lower levels and poorer quality of saliva, and blocked ducts preventing saliva drainage.
Leukoplakia
Smoking is the most common cause of leukoplakia – thick, white or greyish blotches and lesions on gums, the inside of cheeks, on or under the tongue, or on the lips.
Tooth replacement issues
As a smoker with a greater risk of losing teeth, you may think tooth loss can easily be remedied with artificial teeth. It might not be as simple as you imagine, though. For example, you may opt for dental implants because you’ve heard they have a high success rate. While this is true in general, implants tend not to work as well for smokers.
You could also have problems if you get dentures. If your tooth loss is due to eroding bone and other tissue, you won’t have good support for dentures, and you’ll regularly need new ones as your jaw shrinks.
Teeth staining and bad breath
When you smoke, nicotine and tar is absorbed by the surfaces of teeth. This quickly turns teeth yellow. After years of smoking, teeth can darken to a brownish colour. Because of constant build-up over time, tobacco stains on teeth are difficult to remove without cosmetic dental treatment. Staining settles deep into dental enamel and often penetrates to the underlying layer of dentin.
The stale odour of “smoker’s breath” is another issue, caused by:
- Smoke lingering in the mouth.
- Infection from gum disease.
- Chemical residues from tobacco remaining in the mouth.
- Dry mouth due to lack of saliva.
Oral and general health
Smoking increases the risk of oral disease, infection from which can travel through the bloodstream and become systemic, affecting multiple systems and tissues throughout the body.
This can cause or aggravate medical conditions such as:
- Stroke.
- Heart disease.
- Diabetes.
- Lung disease.
And all types of tobacco products contain chemicals that can harm the entire body as well as teeth and gums.
Cosmetic dentistry
Dental veneers and professional teeth whitening conceal or lighten teeth staining. However, the results will be compromised if you smoke. The best solution is to stop smoking first, and then get cosmetic dental treatment.
Dental Veneers
Dental veneers – ultra-thin tooth-coloured shells that are attached to the front of teeth – mask dental imperfections including stains. They look natural and can improve the appearance of tooth shape and size as well as colour. If you continue to smoke, though, it can stain the bonding material that attaches veneers to teeth. This can result in the edges of teeth looking brownish. And teeth with veneers can still become discoloured, which may show through the veneer. The best way to maintain the appearance of your veneers is to quit smoking, be diligent about brushing and flossing, and get regular dental check-ups and professional teeth cleanings.
Professional Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening by a dentist is faster and more effective than over-the-counter whitening products and bleaching kits. It lightens staining of both enamel and dentin to produce dramatic results, with teeth many shades lighter. Cosmetic dentists are able to use materials with powerful bleaching properties, and treatment is monitored during each stage of the whitening process to protect your mouth. However, teeth whitening isn’t a permanent solution, and people who smoke will need more repeated treatments. The best way to prolong the results of teeth whitening is to stop smoking.
How to stop smoking?
As well as damaging teeth and gums, smoking can be fatal. According to the Singapore HealthHub public healthcare online facility, six Singaporeans die each day from a smoking-related disease. No surprise, then, that kicking the habit is a priority among many smokers. It presents a real challenge, though – the nicotine in tobacco products is a highly addictive drug, like cocaine and heroin.
Still, more smokers than ever are now managing to quit. If you’re struggling with joining the ranks of ex-smokers, here are some steps you can take that might help.
- Set a date for stopping smoking.
- List your reasons for quitting.
- When you stop smoking, discard your remaining cigarettes and smoking paraphernalia such as lighters and ashtrays.
- Use stop-smoking aids like nicotine gum or patches.
- Avoid situations that trigger your desire to smoke.
- Keep busy and exercise to keep cravings at bay.
- Substitute smoking for healthy snacks.
- Keep track of how much money you would have been spending on cigarettes.
- Join a stop-smoking support group.
FAQs
At NoFrills Dental, our patients often ask us about the oral health effects of smoking, with questions such as:
How does smoking affect my teeth and gums?
Smoking intensifies build-ups of plaque on teeth, which makes you more prone to dental cavities and tooth loss. It also increases the risk of gum infection resulting in tooth loss through destruction of supporting tissues.
What are the oral health benefits when you stop smoking?
When you stop smoking, you lower your risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, and mouth cancer. Your teeth will be whiter, and your breath fresher. Your overall health will benefit too, with less risk to your lungs and heart.
Can I reverse the effects of smoking once I stop?
Even if you’ve smoked for years, you’ll see immediate benefits when you quit, and the effects of smoking will continue to progressively reverse over the coming years.
Will gum tissue grow back if I stop smoking?
Gum recession is common among smokers. While kicking the habit will improve the overall condition of your gums, gum tissue can’t grow back after receding. Your dentist may recommend a gum tissue graft.
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Looking to get started on your brand new & improved smile? Speak to our dentists today!
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NoFrills Dental @ Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
Suntec City (North Wing)
#03-317
Singapore 038983
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Marina Square,
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