Smoking and Your Oral Health
In Australia, oral cancer accounts for approximately 3% of all cancers diagnosed. In the early stage, mouth cancers are difficult to diagnose without high definition radiographs and regular check up appointments. This can lead to the cancer going unnoticed for some time. Oral cancer can develop in all areas of the mouth including the throat, tongue, lips and salivary glands as well areas in the neck and head.
As well as tooth staining, which may not be able to be corrected by whitening treatments and constant bad breath, smokers are more susceptible to gingivitis. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums causing them to bleed when you brush and floss. When left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontal (gum) disease, a degenerative condition of the gum and supportive bone and is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.
The ill-effects of smoking can often make you unsuitable for restorative procedures such as dental implants. This is because smoking reduces oxygen saturation in the bloodstream impeding the healing of gum tissue, while gum disease causes a reduction in jawbone volume making the jaw unable to support the implant and absorb the extreme biting and chewing forces placed on teeth while eating.
Some oral health conditions that can result from smoking include:
- Increase in plaque and tartar build-up
- Constant bad breath
- Gum disease resulting in tooth loss
- An increased risk of cavities
- Leukoplakia, a white, scaly patch of skin inside your mouth or on your lips
- Cancerous and precancerous lesions in your mouth that can be difficult to detect without regular X-rays and examinations
- Swelling or lumps in your mouth, neck, lips or on your tongue
- Numbness or pain in your mouth or throat without any obvious causes
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing food
In addition to the many benefits to your general health, quitting smoking will improve your oral health, as well as significantly reduce your risk of developing oral cancer.