This article describes the numerous serious effects smoking has upon the health and appearance of our gums and teeth.

Periodontal Care in Green Bay: Introduction

Periodontal care in Green Bay primarily focuses upon the preservation and maintenance of the health of the soft tissues (gums) surrounding and supporting the teeth. While we may traditionally view the aesthetics of our teeth to be a primary reflector of overall oral health, our gums are incredibly important too, which is why medical science has dedicated an entire field to it! One of the most pervasive problems in the United States is periodontal disease, an acute and chronic bacterial infection of the gums surrounding the teeth. There are a great number of ways this infection can come about; poor oral hygiene, chronic illness and genetics being some of them, but one of the biggest and most avoidable of them is smoking.

Periodontal Care in Green Bay: Effects of Smoking

In spite of the dire warnings of cancer, heart disease and respiratory disease, millions of people all over the world continue to light up every day. The effects of smoking also have an incredibly negative effect upon the health of the teeth and gums:

• Discoloration: tar and nicotine from cigarettes get deposited on the teeth turning them from a healthy white to a darker shade of yellow and brown. Tar deposits appear as spots and stains on the tooth enamel, which contribute to an unaesthetic appearance. Cosmetic and periodontal care in Green Bay can remove these, but without quitting the habit, they will continue to return.

• Inflammation: Smoking irritates the soft tissues in the mouth, causing inflammation of the gums and the palate. Chronic inflammation can lead to the development of serious conditions and diseases, such as cancer.

• Smoking causes gum disease. It restricts the flow of blood in the mouth, which not only prevents the gums from healing properly, but it also hampers the teeth and soft tissues receiving vital nutrition. Gum disease left untreated by periodontal care in Green Bay causes bone deterioration in the jaws and eventual tooth loss.

• Infection in the gums, tooth decay and a lack of healing combined with the smell of smoke itself causes chronic bad breath: a very definite social and professional deterrent!

Continuing smoking renders periodontal care in Green Bay much less effective. No matter what vast improvements are made to your teeth and gums through the variety of treatments offered, without quitting, your oral health will likely continue to deteriorate and oral surgeons and dental implantologists will be much less likely to get predictable long-term, stable results.

Periodontal Care in Green Bay: Taking a Positive Step

Smoking – whether it is cigarettes, cigars or pipes or even smokeless tobacco (chewing) – is a serious addiction to which millions subscribe. If quitting were easy, then no doubt the statistics would be substantially less dire. Find out what it is you need to do in order to quit, even if it requires counseling. The benefits to your overall health will be substantial! Periodontal care in Green Bay will cater comprehensively for the existing damage done to your teeth and gums as well as the underlying jaw bone if necessary.