In our previous article installment, we began this four-part series by discussing some of the effects of tobacco-use (both chewing and smoking) on one’s oral health and smile aesthetics. Consequences such as bad breath, tooth discoloration and inflammation of the soft tissues in the mouth were covered by this Boca Raton dentist. In this, the second article installment, we shall continue to examine the health implications of this terrible habit before, in the third part of the series, addressing the benefits of kicking the habit.

 4.       Smoking and the Formation of Plaque and Tartar

Smoking affects the natural flow of saliva in the mouth, which is essentially the body’s defense against bacteria, explain Boca Raton dentists. This renders the mouth far more susceptible to bacterial activity and the formation of plaque; a whitish soft sticky substance composed entirely of bacteria. Without regular and thorough cleaning – more than just twice daily brushing – this plaque hardens to form deposits of tartar, which in turn causes tooth decay, cavities, gum inflammation and infection. In the absence of proper oral hygiene and regular appointments with Boca Raton dentists, the accumulation of tartar on the teeth can lead to a chronic and acute infection of the periodontium (the supporting structure of the teeth), as well as tooth loss!

5.       Smoking and the Formation of Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia are rough white patches caused by chronic irritation of the soft tissues in the mouth. This is generally in response to the excessive heat of tobacco smoke, as well as the thousands of harmful chemicals in it, say Boca Raton dentists. These oral lesions, while painless, are terribly unsightly and can lead to the development of cancer. As such, it is best that patients have any suspicious oral growths checked out and biopsied immediately.

6.       Smoking and Gum Disease

Tobacco-use leads to the chronic and acute bacterial infection of the supporting structures of the teeth, namely the gums. And it does this in several different ways, say Boca Raton dentists:

7.       Smoking and Oral Cancer

It is well understood and documented in medical literature that smoking leads to an increased risk of developing a whole list of cancers, say Boca Raton dentists. Chronic infection of the soft tissues in the mouth can in particular lead to the formation of growths and lesions that may be found to be cancerous. The body’s response to chronic inflammation – as is consistent with gum disease – can also lead to a patient’s increased risk of developing cancer in other parts of the body.

Before we end this article installment, let’s sum up the impacts of this wholly unnecessary habit. Smoking causes:

·         Bad breath

·         Tooth discoloration

·         Inflammation of the oral soft tissues

·         The formation of leukoplakia

·         Increased oral bacteria activity

·         Gum infection and disease

·         Inflammation of the salivary glands

·         Tooth loss and jaw bone loss

·         Impaired ability to heal

·         Oral cancer

This four-part article series explores the connection between tobacco-use and the health, aesthetics and longevity of the hard and soft tissues in the mouth.

In the previous two article posts from Boca Raton dentists, we explored the many terrible effects of tobacco-use upon one’s oral health, from bad breath and tooth discoloration to gum disease and oral cancer. In this, the third installment of our four-part article series, we shall move on to discuss the use of different kinds of tobacco products as well as the very many health benefits one can reap from kicking the habit.

Seeing Tobacco-use for what it really is: A Death Sentence

 

People who are addicted to substances such as tobacco will always try to find ways to rationalize their habitual use, say Boca Raton dentists. And this is evident in certain common misconceptions surrounding the use of tobacco products and the different forms of consumption. First of all, it needs to be said that there is no ‘safer’ form of consumption. Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, or whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars or pipes, the effects are the same and they are potentially fatal. Tobacco-users who want to enjoy a long and healthy life need to see their habit for what it really is, say Boca Raton dentists; a death sentence.

Much research has been conducted on the difference between the forms of tobacco-use (many of which have been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association). All of them indicate strongly that tobacco-use, whether it is cigarette, pipe or cigar-smoking lead to a whole suit of terrible oral afflictions, including bad breath, gum disease, oral cancer and tooth loss.

Then there are the smokeless tobacco products that many claim to be the ‘safer’ option for the nicotine-addicted. Unfortunately, say Boca Raton dentists, these products pose just as much of a risk to your oral and general health. Snuff and chewing tobacco contain at least 30 different harmful chemicals that are known to increase a patient’s risk of developing throat and oral cancer. In fact, chewing tobacco dispenses more nicotine into the bloodstream than smoking, say Boca Raton dentists, making it that much harder for people to quit. Smokeless tobacco-use also irritates the gums, leading to chronic inflammation and infection, gum disease, tooth loss and the loss of bone volume in the jaw.

 

Boca Raton Dentists: The Benefits of Kicking the Habit

Many of the patients Boca Raton dentists see have been smoking for years and even decades. And there is this sentiment that it’s too late for them to quit; that they may as well just deal with the consequences of their lifelong addiction rather than confront it. The misconception that it’s too late is a terrible one, say Boca Raton dentists. Kicking the habit today, whether you have been smoking for three years or for 30 can greatly improve your standard of oral and general health. Check out these statistics:

·         Smokers that reduce their daily intake to less than half a pack have a three times higher risk of gum disease than non-smokers. This is versus those that consume more than a pack and a half every day whose risk is six times higher than non-smokers, say Boca Raton dentists.

·         97.5% of patients who used smokeless tobacco products found their oral lesions (leukoplakia) to disappear completely within six weeks of quitting.

·         Smokers are six times more likely to develop cancer of the tongue, mouth, throat and lips than non-smokers, say Boca Raton dentists.

·         94% of recovered oral cancer patients who stop smoking remain ‘cured’.

Boca Raton Dentists: Stay Tuned

Stay tuned for the final installment of this four-part article series on smoking and you oral health, courtesy of this Boca Raton dentist.