Harmful Effects of Tobacco Use and Oral Health
Tobacco consumption is bad for oral health. Whether you are a smoker or someone who indulges in chewing products, it is important to understand how tobacco affects oral health, in general, and oral cavity, in particular. In this article, we get into details and inform our readers about the ill-effects of tobacco consumption on oral health.
Tobacco Use Directly Impacts a Person’s Confidence and Smile
Regular tobacco consumption directly hampers a person’s confidence. How? Frequent smoking and tobacco consumption cause the teeth to become stained and discolored. Thus, when people know they have stained or yellow teeth, they are never able to smile with confidence. Such people hide their smiles and are always uneasy in social gatherings.
If you are one of these people, the first thing you must do to win your confidence back is to give up tobacco consumption completely. Next, set up an appointment with your dentist and ask them how soon you can undergo the teeth whitening procedure to get your confidence back.
Those Who Consume Tobacco on a Regular Basis Suffer from Blunted Olfactory and Taste Receptor Activity
Regular tobacco consumption does not only lead to stained teeth but also burnt olfactory sensors. Further, when taste receptors located on the tongue are constantly subjected to nicotine and tar, they lose their ability to discern different tastes over time. Since the working of olfactory sensors and taste receptors is closely linked, any decline in the activity of one type of sensor also affects the activity of the other sensor. This is the reason why chain smokers are unable to enjoy the taste of different foods to their fullest.
Such People Also Take Far Longer to Recover from Dental Issues
Regular tobacco consumption also affects the immune system. Thus, regular smokers, as well as those who frequently chew tobacco products, take far longer to heal after a dental problem or surgery. This is problematic as frequent tobacco consumption not only causes tooth decay but also gum inflammation.
It Also Undermines One’s Confidence by Causing Bad Breath
Tobacco consumption also undermines one’s confidence by causing bad breath. Tobacco consumption is linked with plaque buildup and digestive issues. The issue is that one cannot get rid of bad breath caused by tobacco consumption by practicing good oral habits. This problem can be solved only by completely giving up tobacco use.
Tobacco Use Destroys the Positive Work Done by Dental Restoration Procedures
In recent years, the area of dentistry has made big advancements. Teeth whitening and bleaching procedures have become common and most people use these procedures to get a better smile. Unfortunately, these procedures don’t work for regular tobacco consumers as tobacco use spoils the positive work done by restoration procedures, such as teeth whitening and bleaching.
Tobacco Use Causes Oral Cancer
Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of oral cancer. Those who use tobacco in the form of chewable and non-smokable products are more prone to oral cancer than people who indulge in smokable tobacco products. Oral cancer can prove to be life-threatening, especially when detected in an advanced stage.
The Final Word
Indulging in tobacco use is one of the worst things one can do to destroy their oral health. The only way to avoid the harmful effects of tobacco use discussed in this article is to avoid tobacco completely. If you use tobacco, quit now, and fix an appointment with your doctor to understand what can be done to mend the damage already done.
For more information regarding your dental health, please give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly Dental a call today! We are located in Warren, MI and we can be reached at 586-573-7700!