It is common knowledge that tobacco use is bad for your health, but did you know that it plays a major role in many dental problems too? All forms of tobacco including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and smokeless tobacco pose oral health risks. The following list will give you an overview of concerns that dentists have for their patients who use tobacco.

Oral Cancer
Using tobacco greatly increases your risk of cancer of the mouth or throat. Oral cancer is a disease that progresses quickly and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early. Also, moderate to heavy use of alcohol combined with tobacco use increases the risk of oral cancer even more.

Gum Disease
Infected gum tissue causes the bone that supports the teeth to recede, which leads to loose teeth. Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss and sensitivity in adults. Many tobacco users end up with gum disease problems.

Delayed Healing
Tobacco impairs your immune system, which means that healing happens more slowly. It will take longer for a tobacco user to heal after dental procedures such as tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, or oral surgery.

Diminished Senses
Most tobacco users experience a decrease in their senses of taste and smell. Tobacco smoke especially affects your senses. Food will not taste as good and you can’t smell as well as before.

Bad Breath and Stained Teeth
These are both very obvious cosmetic results of tobacco use. No one wants to go around smelling like an ashtray, and teeth stains caused by tobacco often cannot be removed with regular brushing.