HERE’S WHY SMOKERS HAVE HIGHER CHANCES OF DEVELOPING DENTAL PROBLEMS
Having healthy teeth is essential. However, some of our lifestyle choices might have adverse effects on our dental health. While some people might not experience early repercussions, others might experience early side effects and maybe get early treatment before it deteriorates. Nevertheless, if our lifestyle threatens our dental or general health, it is advisable that we quit such a lifestyle. According to researchers, smokers have higher risks of developing several dental problems.
Smoking has a lousy way of affecting dental health. Smokers can develop dental issues like oral cancer, teeth infection, gum disease, and other dental problems. According to dentists, smokers need to take proper care of their dental health twice as regular people do. Also, smoking causes slow recovery after dental treatment. In worse cases, such patients might experience risks during and after oral surgery.
Other Problems That Are Associated With Smoking
- Teeth Discoloration: Due to the nicotine in cigarettes, the teeth can get stained. Some people often disagree that cigarette can stain the teeth since it is colorless. However, it might interest you to know that when nicotine mixes with oxygen, it becomes yellow or brown, and these stains can affect the teeth over time. This can affect your dental appearance.
- Bad Breath: One of the problems that smokers experience is bad breath, also known as halitosis. When a person smokes frequently, they develop a dry mouth which is caused by low saliva production. Smokers are always advised to use mouthwash or drink plenty of water to prevent their mouth from getting dry.
- Medical Conditions: Smoking can affect the immune system and cause damages to the lungs, heart, and other parts of the body.
Ways Of Reducing Dental Problem Risks In Smokers
Although smoking can cause severe damages to the body and teeth, there are ways to reduce the effects of cigarettes and tobacco on the teeth. The following are preventive measures that can help reduce dental problems in smokers.
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene: always brush your teeth twice daily, and do not forget to floss at least once daily. Also, after smoking, always use a fluoride mouthwash to rinse the cigarette or tobacco inside your mouth. If possible, brush with a fluoride-filled toothpaste immediately after smoking. Furthermore, always replace your toothbrush with a new one every two months. Good dental hygiene can also help prevent teeth discoloration.
- Visit the dentist regularly for a dental checkup: Going for regular dental examinations can help you in various ways. Unlike non-smokers who might need a dental checkup twice a year, smokers are advised to visit the dentist more often. During a dental examination, the dentist can check your teeth for dental diseases that might have been caused by smoking and other factors. If the dentist finds any dental condition or signs of dental disease, you might get immediate treatment, thereby preventing the dental issue from getting worse.
- Get Regular Professional Dental Cleaning: during your dental examination, you can also get a professional dental cleaning. Professional dental cleaning involves the usage of dental equipment and tools to clean the teeth thoroughly. Getting a regular dental cleaning saves you from developing teeth decay that might have accumulated in areas that your toothbrush couldn’t reach.
- Eat Healthy Food: it is dangerous for a smoker to eat the wrong kind of food. If a smoker has a higher chance of developing dental problems due to the smoking of cigarettes and tobacco, eating bad foods would fasten and increase the possibilities of developing those dental issues. Smokers should stay away from unhealthy food, especially sugary foods.
- Quit Smoking: Although the points stated above can help reduce a smoker’s risks of developing dental issues, quitting cigarette and tobacco intake is the best and most effective way of avoiding those dental problems. You don’t have to stop abruptly. You can start by reducing the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. You can also try to get busy or do other positive things that would take your mind away from the urge to smoke. If trying to quit smoking alone doesn’t help, you can speak to your dentist or visit a therapist.
