5 ways smoking is ruining your oral health

It is estimated around 15% of people in the UK smoke. Whilst that number has been decreasing significantly over the last 10 years, it’s still a huge percentage of the population. Smoking has many negative impacts on our health. Today we’ll be discussing the impact smoking can have on our oral health. Smoking is bad for your oral health in several ways. It can cause gum disease, tooth decay and other problems.

Here are just five ways smoking is ruining your teeth:

1. Smoking causes gum disease. Gum disease is an infection of the gums that can lead to tooth loss. smokers are more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Smoking can reduce cell function within our gums leaving them weak.
2. Smoking increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Oral cancer is a particularly dangerous form of cancer that can be difficult to treat. Unfortunately, oral cancer is not the only cancer smoking can cause.
3. Smoking causes bad breath. No one wants to be known as a person with bad breath, but smokers are more likely to suffer from this problem than non-smokers.
4. Smoking stains your teeth. Those who smoke are more likely to have yellow or brown stains on their teeth. These can be fairly tough to remove and you may need more frequent visits to the dentist and hygienist.
5. Smoking dries out your mouth. A dry mouth can lead to a number of problems, including an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. A dry mouth is a great environment for bacteria to grow.

If you're a smoker, quitting is the best thing you can do for your oral health, and your general health. There are several resources available to help you quit, including nicotine replacement therapy and counselling. Talk to your doctor about what might work best for you. Reducing the amount you smoke or moving to a vape may be a good place to start. Remember starting small is better than not starting at all!