On May 31, health professionals around the world will be celebrating No Tobacco Day. It’s no secret that there are countless negative side effects to tobacco usage, but it’s still one of the most common oral health issues that people face. Your teeth and gums aren’t the only parts of your body that are harmed by excessive tobacco usage, but they’re first in line when you smoke a cigarette or use dipping tobacco. Dive into the five major health complications that are tobacco related and how your 98004 dentist can help save your smile.

 

Bad Breath

 

Bad breath is one of the more inconvenient and embarrassing instances you can run into but can typically be solved by some chewing gum or by brushing your teeth. If you’re constantly smoking, you could suffer from bad breath constantly. Smoker’s breath, clinically known as “halitosis,” combines the tobacco with the bacteria in your mouth and clings to your gums and tongue, leaving the lingering smell of tobacco itself.

 

The only way to get rid of this consistent bad breath is to simply stop using tobacco! We know it’s far more difficult than it sounds, but if you continue this bad habit, your smile will continue to suffer.

 

Stained, Yellow Teeth

 

Nicotine and tar in tobacco products like cigarettes are so strong, they can stain more than your teeth. Your fingers can start showing a yellowish tint, your walls can become stained, so your teeth will be suffering the same way. The outer layer of your teeth, also known as your “enamel,” will quickly turn a dimmer, darker color as they continuously encounter nicotine and tar.

 

While there are multiple at-home options to brighten your smile – a whitening toothpaste, a take-home whitening kit, or a whitening treatment at our office – the shade of your smile will continue to suffer if you keep up the bad habit of tobacco use.

 

Gum Disease

 

This bacterial infection causes your gums to become red, swollen, and can cause bleeding as the soft tissue and bone fall apart around your teeth that support them in place. Without maintaining top oral hygiene, like brushing, flossing and keeping up with your professional dental cleanings, you’re susceptible to gum disease. Smoking cigarettes and abusing tobacco products exacerbates the bacterial infection and can quickly bring your smile to a scenario that cannot be reversed.

 

Oral Cancer

 

Tobacco use is a major cause of oral cancer due to the carcinogenic chemicals that are extremely harmful to the oral tissues in your mouth. By chewing or smoking tobacco products, genetic changes may occur within the cells of your oral tissues, which will lead to this extremely harmful form of cancer.

 

Your risks for developing oral cancer decreases significantly when you stop using tobacco products, so why wait?

 

Maintain the healthiest, strongest smile you possibly can and quit tobacco products. By keeping up with your visits to your 98004 dentist, we’ll be able to protect your teeth and gums while we work together to fight against tobacco. Celebrate No Tobacco Day with us by scheduling your cleaning today! Call 425-747-3080 and our staff will work together to pick the best date and time for you.