Smoking: A Real Drag on Your Teeth

Henderson NV DentistSmoking, and all types of tobacco usage, have detrimental effects on a person’s health. The fact that tobacco is such an addictive drug makes it all the more devastating because of how difficult it is for most people to break the habit. While many are aware of certain serious health concerns that are directly related to tobacco, there are certain factors that are often overlooked – yet these can still pose irreversible and costly damage.

  • Tooth discoloration – Smokers and tobacco users can typically be spotted across the room due to the dingy color of their teeth. Tobacco discolors and stains the teeth, and over time this discoloration becomes permanent.
  • Bad breath – Tobacco has its own strong odor, and when it is mixed with the bacteria inside the mouth, it leaves behind foul breath. Both chronic bad breath and tooth discoloration can negatively impact a person’s professional and personal life.
  • Breathing problems – Smoking allows many chemicals to enter the body through the lungs. These chemicals cause debilitating changes to the lungs and airways causing such breathing problems as COPD and Emphysema.
  • Periodontal disease – The gums are the structures that give strength and support to the teeth. Periodontal disease is the severe infection of the gums that causes irreversible damage and destruction. Smoking and chewing tobacco causes the gums to become raw and irritated, leaving them extremely vulnerable to infection that will cause the teeth to fall out and/or require extensive treatment to correct.
  • Oral cancer – Tobacco weakens the immune system so that it does not have the ability to fight off damage caused inside the mouth. Oral cancer is a prominent condition among tobacco users due to the mouth’s health being overly compromised.
  • Lung cancer – Cancer does not isolate itself. With the damage caused to the lungs, the weakened immune system, and the destruction of the gums – the entire body is vulnerable to cancer. The mouth is made up of living tissues, and their blood supplies travel throughout the entire body – easily carrying cancer cells and leaving devastation in their wake.

At Siena Dental, we understand that quitting smoking and tobacco use is difficult, but we also fully understand the detriments of continued use. Please contact our practice to learn how you can overcome the damage that tobacco has caused.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Dave Mahon, Siena Dental

Siena Dental

10075 S Eastern Ave, Suite 107
Henderson, NV 89052
(702) 567-0000