Tobacco use impacts your entire body, and your oral health is not immune to those effects. It can lead to a variety of issues, ranging from cosmetic to very serious health dangers. Let’s learn about some of the effects of tobacco use on your oral health and ways you can protect yourself.
Oral cancer
It is estimated that ninety percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer have used tobacco products. In fact, oral cancer risks are six times higher for smokers over non-smokers. Oral cancer can affect your lips, throat, tongue, and mouth. Your personal risk of oral cancer is related to how long you have used tobacco. The longer you use tobacco, the higher your cancer risk gets.
Gum disease
Cigarette smoking is linked to gum disease, which begins as inflammation and bleeding of the gums. As gum disease progresses, the bone supporting your tooth roots gets inflamed also and can cause the bone to deteriorate. Without treatment, gum disease leads to lost teeth and damage to the jawbone.
Kinds of tobacco
It is a myth that some forms of tobacco are safer than others. Regular exposure to any kind of tobacco has health risks. For example, pipe smokers usually don’t smoke very often but they can get cancer of the lips from holding the pipe in the same place on the lip each time. Also, people who use chewing (or smokeless) tobacco are at four to six times more risk of oral cancer than non-tobacco users.
Ways to protect oral health
Follow these rules to promote good oral health:
• Stop smoking. Quitting will significantly lower your risk of oral health problems, and the longer you remain a non-smoker, the lower your risk gets.
• Have regular dental checkups. Early detection and treatment of cancer can improve your prognosis.
• Practice good dental hygiene.
Pregnancy affects your whole body, and your mouth is no exception. Your hormones are changing throughout pregnancy, which can affect your teeth and gums. There are several things to watch for regarding your dental health while pregnant.
Pregnancy gingivitis
Higher levels of progesterone in your system can cause gingivitis, or inflamed gums. Your gums may become swollen and red, and they may bleed when you brush or floss your teeth. After the baby is born, pregnancy gingivitis symptoms usually disappear.
Gum disease
A more serious dental problem that affects some pregnant women is periodontal, or gum, disease. It happens when bacteria causes an infection to develop below your gum line, which can loosen your teeth or even make them fall out. Another serious side effect of gum disease is to the baby, because it increases the mother’s risk of early delivery and lower baby birth weights.
Pregnancy granuloma
A granuloma is a red growth that appears during pregnancy along the upper edge of your gums. It bleeds easily, causes discomfort, and may affect speech. Pregnancy granulomas most often happen during the second trimester, and usually dissipate after the baby’s birth.
Dry mouth
Hormonal changes can decrease the amount of saliva you produce. The resulting dry mouth increases your risk of various dental problems.
Tooth enamel erosion
The enamel on your teeth may be at higher risk of erosion due to vomiting caused by morning sickness. This risk increases the more frequent the vomiting occurs over an longer time period.
As much as many people don’t want to believe it, flossing your teeth is an important and necessary part of dental hygiene. Just brushing your teeth isn’t enough, because it doesn’t reach all of the areas that dental floss can. Just like you brush your teeth each day, you should also floss your teeth at least once daily.
What are the benefits?
Flossing helps get rid of food particles and plaque from the areas between your teeth, where your toothbrush is unable to reach. If you don’t remove plaque, it hardens to become tartar and can lead to cavities. Flossing helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay, and bad breath.
How do I get the most out of flossing?
You should floss your teeth at least once a day. If you find long threads hard to control, use a floss holder designed to help. Floss gently to avoid damaging your gum tissue.
What products should I use?
Both waxed and unwaxed dental flosses are able to clean the areas between your teeth. The important thing is to use it every day, so choose the kind you like and will use. A floss holder or interdental cleaning tools like picks may help if you have difficulty due to arthritis or vision problems, but follow your dentist’s instructions for use so you don’t harm your gums. Oral irrigators can also help remove trapped food particles, but these should not take the place of flossing and brushing. You might also choose to use mouth rinses, but they must be used in combination with the rest of your dental hygiene routine.
Prevention is the most important thing about gum disease, or gingivitis. However if you already have this disease, you should get control of it quickly in order to avoid more serious problems like heart disease or diabetes. There are some common myths about gum disease that may make you hesitate, so let’s learn the truth so that you can take the necessary steps to regain a healthy smile.
Myth: Gum disease is always caused by poor dental hygiene.
Truth: Poor oral hygiene can contribute to the disease, but it’s not the only factor. Tobacco use greatly raises your gum disease risk. A poor diet and stress can both also contribute. Some people are genetically at a higher risk too. It’s important to follow your dentist’s instructions for a good daily dental routine, because you’ll then have the best chance of avoid gum disease.
Myth: Flossing every day isn’t needed.
Truth: You should floss daily to clean the small spaces that your toothbrush is unable to reach. Those hard-to-reach areas are a popular breeding ground for bacteria.
Myth: It’s not a problem if my gums bleed sometimes.
Truth: Occasional bleeding while eating some foods like corn on the cob or tortilla chips may not be a big deal. However, you should tell your dentist about consistent bleeding. Red, swollen gums that bleed often may indicate gum disease. You should also visit your dentist if your gums often bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Myth: A appointment with the periodontist will definitely be painful.
Truth: Periodontists are specialists who regularly treat gum disease. They have additional training in preventing, diagnosing, and treating gingivitis. Periodontists are equipped with special tools and technology to provide you with the optimum care and comfort level.
Myth: Nothing can be done if I lose a tooth because of gum disease.
Truth: There are several tooth replacement options available if you lose any teeth to gum disease. Your periodontist will be able to help you choose the best option for you.
Missing teeth don’t just change the appearance of your smile. Spaces between teeth can also cause oral health and dietary problems. With dentures, your dentist can revive the function and appearance of your smile.
Designed to closely mimic natural teeth, full dentures are comprised of a row of teeth attached to a gum-colored base. A partial denture fits between existing teeth to close the gap in your smile. Your dentist will take detailed impressions and measurements of your mouth; then, the doctor will provide this information to the technician who will create your custom appliance.
Follow these helpful hints to reap the full benefits of your dentures:
Practice good home habits
Even if you have lost all your teeth, your gums and soft tissues need care. Brush gums to massage the tissues and keep them healthy.
Handle with care
When you take your dentures out, make sure to store them in the case to prevent damage. You should also rinse them after you remove them and soak them regularly so that the appliances don’t develop unpleasant odors.
Skip DIY repairs
If you have a problem with your dentures, don’t try to make adjustments on your own. Trying to fix the devices could cause more damage and create unnecessary expenses.
Visit the dentist regularly
Routine checkups are still important, even with dentures. These visits enable the dentist to check your mouth, monitor your oral health, and make sure your dentures fit correctly.
It’s easy to remember to brush your teeth during the day because you want to smell and look fresh, but sometimes people neglect their oral health at night when they’re going to bed. This is a big mistake because a thorough bedtime dental routine will prevent cavities and gum disease from sneaking up on you while you sleep.
Cleaning your mouth before bed removes food particles from your day, and washes away plaque which is a major cause of tooth decay and gum disease. If bacteria are present in your mouth all night, your chances of developing cavities are greatly increased. Also, the amount of saliva produced in your mouth decreases at night so your mouth dries out. That can cause bacteria to grow. Finally, using fluoride on your teeth before bed further protects them while you’re asleep.
Here are some nightly tips to protect your dental health so you can sleep peacefully knowing that your smile is safe:
• Brush your teeth. Use a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and brush for about two minutes. Don’t forget to brush your tongue to get rid of bacteria there too.
• Floss every night. It’s tempting to neglect flossing because many people find it a hassle, but it’s the best way to reach plaque that can’t be removed with your toothbrush.
• Rinse with a mouthwash. Not only does this freshen your breath, it contributes to healthy teeth and gums.
• Avoid eating or drinking sugary items right before bed. Don’t sneak a cookie or glass of milk after you’ve already brushed and flossed. Make sure you eat your snacks before your bedtime dental routine.
• Keep a glass of water near your bed. That way if you wake up with a dry mouth, you can easily take a sip to moisten your mouth – it will help avoid bacteria growth.
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