October 09, 2015
If you are a smoker, one of the best things you can do for your oral health is quit. Tobacco has a dramatic effect on your oral health and can lead to everything from severe staining that can only be corrected with veneers to serious gum disease and oral cancer. Quitting is challenging, but your dentist can provide tips to help you succeed. Here is a closer look at just a few of the effects tobacco use can have on your oral health. The chemicals in tobacco can cause severe tooth yellowing, stains on your gums, and bad breath. Tobacco can also cause inflammation of the gums that leads to tooth loss and tooth decay that can require a filling or a root canal. Perhaps most importantly, tobacco use—including use of cigarettes, pipes, and chewing tobacco—increases your risk of oral cancer, which includes cancer of the tongue, lips, and gums. If you use tobacco, be sure your dentist knows so you can receive frequent cleanings and adequate oral cancer screenings.
