Tooth staining and constant bad breath are the least of your worries when it comes to smoking and the severe detrimental effect it has on your oral health. In addition to causing lung cancer, heart disease and a myriad of other health conditions, smoking is one of the main contributors to gingivitis, an inflammation of the gums causing them to bleed easily when you brush and floss, and periodontal (gum) disease, a degenerative disease of the gum and supportive bone and the leading cause of adult tooth loss. |
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The adverse effects of smoking also make many smokers unsuitable for various restorative dental procedures such as dental implants. This is because smoking will impede the recovery of the gum tissue and gum disease, causing a reduction in jawbone density thereby making it unsuitable for the implants to be placed.
Smoking is the major cause of oral cancer, which accounts for 3% of all cancers diagnosed in Australia. Often in its early stage it does not cause any discomfort and therefore difficult to diagnose without a radiograph and thorough examination during a regular check-up.
