“How does smoking affect oral health?” is a question I wish I’d hear more often. Many people don’t realize how detrimental smoking is to their teeth, gums, and mouth.
Smoking negatively impacts oral health, increasing the risk of oral cancer, decay, severe gum disease, complications after oral surgery, and bad breath. In fact, smokers are twice as likely to suffer from gum disease vs. non-smokers (Source: CDC).
Fortunately, quitting smoking can lead to immediate and long-term improvements in oral health.
Here, I’ll cover the negative effects of smoking on teeth, the link between oral cancer and smoking, and how to quit smoking for better oral health.
The Hidden Dangers of Smoking: How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health
How Smoking Affects Your Teeth and Gums
Tooth Discoloration
Tooth discoloration and bad breath are some of the most noticeable effects of smoking on teeth. Many smokers deal with stubborn yellowish-brown tar and nicotine stains on their teeth.
Ready for a brighter smile? See my guide here for tips on how to keep teeth white: Keep Your Smile Bright – Tips for Keeping White Teeth.
Another option for whitening teeth that are stained due to smoking is professional whitening treatments. Learn more about the variety of treatments we offer at 123 Dental here: Professional Perth Teeth Whitening.
Bad Breath
Bad breath is another one of the negative effects of smoking on teeth. Tobacco users often deal with persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis.
Smoking and tobacco use contribute to bad breath due to bacteria buildup in the mouth and decreased saliva production.
Learn more about bad breath in my post here: Bad Breath Guide: What is Halitosis and How to Prevent It?
Increased Plaque and Tartar Buildup
When food debris is left on teeth and gums, it forms plaque. Bad bacteria can feed on this plaque and cause it to harden into tartar. This tartar buildup irritates teeth and gums, causing inflammation and bleeding.
Smoking contributes to increased plaque and tartar buildup. Because of this increased risk of plaque buildup, smoking and tooth decay are closely linked.
Left untreated, tooth decay can lead to serious complications, such as tooth loss. Tartar can only be removed by a dentist, making regular dental visits crucial.
You May Also Like: Is Vaping Bad for Teeth? Vaping and Your Dental Health
Delayed Healing After Dental Procedures
Smoking weakens the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to heal following dental procedures. This can make it more difficult for smokers to recover from dental implants, gum surgery, or tooth extractions.
Smoking may lead to:
- Increased pain after gum or oral surgery
- A painful condition known as dry socket after a tooth extraction
- Delayed healing after oral or gum surgery
- Poor results after dental implants
- Delayed healing after an injury to the mouth
The Link Between Smoking and Gum Disease
Smoking and Gum Disease
Tobacco users face an increased risk of gum disease, also known as periodontal disease. This is because smoking weakens the immune system.
A weaker immune system makes it more difficult for the body to fight off infections, such as gum disease. Smoking also makes it more difficult for the body to heal gum tissue.
Learn more about gum disease in my in-depth guide here: Gum Disease – Find Out What It Is and How to Prevent It.
Progression of Gum Disease in Smokers
There are two stages of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontitis.
- Gingivitis: Gingivitis is the early stage of gum disease. Early gum disease can be characterised by bleeding or inflamed gums. However, gingivitis may be asymptomatic at first, which is why regular dental checkups are vital.
Gingivitis can be harder to detect in smokers since tobacco products reduce blood supply to the gums. Bleeding gums that normally indicate early gum disease may not happen in smokers. This makes regular dental checkups even more important for smokers to catch gum disease early.
- Periodontitis: If early gum disease goes untreated, it can progress to periodontitis. This stage of gum disease involves damage to the gums and tooth structures. This can result in gums pulling away from the teeth, teeth becoming loose, infections, and potential tooth loss.
Complications of Periodontitis
If gum disease gets severe enough, it can result in tooth loss. Losing teeth can cause serious oral health complications, such as:
- Difficulty eating and chewing
- Speech difficulties
- Shifting of surrounding teeth
- Confidence issues
- Loss of shape and support of the lower face
Signs of Gum Disease
As a smoker, watch for these signs of gum disease:
- Bleeding, tender, red, or swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Discharge coming from the gums
- A bad taste in the mouth or chronic bad breath
- Spaces opening between your teeth
Smoking and Oral Cancer Risk
Smoking and oral cancer is one of the most dangerous effects of smoking on teeth. Oral cancers refer to cancers of the lips, tongue, throat, palate, gums, floor of the mouth, and other parts of the mouth.
In most countries, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are the primary risk factors for developing oral cancer (Source: World Health Organization: Comprehensive assessment of evidence on oral cancer prevention).
There is a proven link between smoking and oral cancer. Smokers are most likely to experience cancer on one side of the tongue, on the lips, or on the floor of the mouth.
Common symptoms of oral cancer include:
- Persistent mouth or lip ulcers
- Difficulty swallowing
- Red or white patches in the mouth
- Swelling in your mouth.
- Dentures that suddenly do not fit properly
If you notice any of these symptoms, book an appointment with your dentist immediately. As with many oral health concerns, early detection is your best chance of a good outcome.
Detecting and treating oral cancer as soon as possible can help prevent it from worsening or spreading to other parts of the body. Treatment options for oral cancer may include surgical removal of the tumour and surrounding tissues, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Can Quitting Smoking Improve Oral Health?
Quitting smoking improves overall dental hygiene and allows the gums to begin healing.
As soon as you quit smoking, you will likely notice whiter teeth, a reduced risk of gum disease, and fresher breath.
The effects of smoking on teeth can start reducing as soon as you quit smoking. With time and a good oral hygiene routine, you can continue improving your oral health.
Quitting smoking allows the gums to heal, reduces the risk of gum disease, and improves overall dental hygiene. Quitting smoking also reduces the risk of oral cancer, (Source: Better Health Channel Victoria).
I always remind my patients that it is never too late to quit. Most importantly, I never want my patients to feel judged. While I am here to encourage you to quit, I will also support you at whatever stage you are at in your journey.
I’m incredibly proud of the patients I’ve helped quit throughout my 10 years as a Perth dentist. I’ve seen patients go from having mouth sores, puffy gums, and stained teeth to a sparkling, healthy smile after quitting smoking.
If you want personalised help to quit smoking, our team is here to support you. We’ll help you take control of your oral health and achieve a smile you are proud to show off.
Tips for Protecting Your Oral Health as a Smoker
Attend Regular Dental Checkups
Regular dental checkups are important for everyone but especially for smokers. Smoking increases the risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and decay. These issues can be asymptomatic at first, allowing complications to arise.
Attending regular dental checkups allows your dentist to catch issues early, even before symptoms show up. Detecting gum disease and oral cancer as early as possible can help ensure a better outcome. Regular visits also include a professional cleaning to help reduce tartar buildup and tobacco staining.
I recommend scheduling a dental checkup every 6 months to help protect your teeth and gums.
Learn more about the advantages of seeing your dentist regularly here: Dental Checkups: 5 Benefits for Regular Checkups.
Follow Good Oral Hygiene Practices
With a higher risk of gum disease, oral cancer, and decay, smokers must be vigilant about their oral hygiene.
I recommend following a good oral hygiene routine that includes:
- Flossing every day
- Brushing twice a day with proper technique (gentle, circular motions) and a soft-bristled toothbrush
- Using a fluoride toothpaste (How to Choose the Right Toothpaste for You)
- Asking your dentist if an antibacterial mouthwash would be appropriate for you
- Attend regular dental checkups and professional cleaning to help reduce your risk of gum disease and other oral health issues
- If you notice an issue or irregularity, such as gum sensitivity, make an appointment with your dentist immediately
- Stay hydrated by drinking enough water to help counteract dry mouth, a condition that contributes to tooth decay
- Ask your dentist if chewing sugarless gum is appropriate for you
- Avoid acidic drinks as they can erode tooth enamel and contribute to dry mouth
- If you do undergo oral surgery, avoid smoking for as long as possible afterward to reduce the risk of complications
Consider Smoking Cessation Methods
If you are struggling to give up tobacco, talk to your doctor or dentist for tips on how to quit smoking for better oral health.
When my patients ask me for tips to quit smoking, here are some I recommend:
- Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches or gum, or other medications to quit smoking
- Call Australia’s Quitline, an excellent resource for support on how to quit smoking for better oral health and overall health
- Start slow by trying to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke a day
- Recognise triggers that tempt you to smoke and try to avoid them
- Get rid of lighters, ashtrays, and cigarettes to reduce temptation
Eat a Balanced Diet and Stay Hydrated
To reduce smoking-related damage to your oral health, eat a balanced diet. Prioritise fresh fruits and veggies and non-processed foods.
I always remind patients to stay hydrated to help stimulate saliva flow. Smokers are at a higher risk of dry mouth, making hydration crucial. Aim to drink water throughout the day to help stimulate saliva production and naturally rinse away food debris.
Take Control of Your Oral Health with 123 Dental
Smoking is proven to increase the risk of oral health issues, such as gum disease, decay, poor healing after dental procedures, halitosis, stained teeth, and oral cancer.
Fortunately, quitting smoking can begin improving overall and oral health immediately. After quitting smoking, many oral health issues can be improved and even reversed.
Seeing your dentist for regular checkups is important for everyone. If you are a smoker, regular checkups become even more important due to the increased risk of oral health issues. Dental checkups ensure you are following a good oral hygiene routine and give your dentist the chance to detect issues early.
Concerned about how smoking is affecting your teeth and gums? Schedule a dental checkup with 123 Dental today and take the first step toward a healthier smile!
