It’s probably not a surprise to you that smoking is unhealthy. Alongside the fatal health implications that come with smoking, cigarettes are also terrible for your teeth. Whether you’re struggling to quit or you’re an ex-smoker going through a rough patch, it’s always helpful to have a reminder of why smoking is bad. That’s why we’ve got together a few reasons why stopping smoking gives your oral health a big boost.
No more stains
Everybody wants a dazzling white smile. However, the more you smoke, the less likely you’ll be able to show off your pearly whites. Consistent smoking actively discolours the enamel on your teeth and changes them to a white or brown colour. Fortunately, this staining can be reversed when you quit smoking with consistent brushing and whitening treatments.
Lower risk of gum disease
Alongside reducing your immune system, smoking also reduces the blood flow to your teeth. This provides the perfect mask for gum disease, which, as a result, can be very difficult to spot. Stopping smoking slowly returns your blood flow to normal levels and allows you to spot any of those early signs of gum disease.
Less ulcers
This reduced blood flow also makes those nasty ulcers more likely to pop up inside your mouth. When you stop smoking, you’ll notice that your mouth recovers more quickly from dental procedures and ulcers. Your mouth will be a much healthier place when you stop smoking and your chances of picking up ulcers will be greatly reduced.
Nice smelling breath
An obvious benefit of quitting smoking that your friends will thanking you for is nice smelling breath. Smoking encourages the growth of bad bacteria in your mouth, which then leads to bad breath and the lingering smell of tobacco. When you quit, you’ll also notice your smell and taste starting to return.
Oral cancer risk reduction
As tobacco is a carcinogenic, your chances of developing oral cancer are massively reduced by quitting. Many people rightly focus on lung cancer as the main risk that comes with cigarettes, but it’s important to remember just how deadly mouth cancer can be. More than 60% of mouth cancer diagnoses are a result of smoking. Once you quit, your odds of contracting mouth cancer decline fast.
You don’t need us to tell you smoking is bad. If you’re stuck in the clutches of tobacco, it can feel impossible to break out of that grasp. Make sure you speak to your GP to get all the help you can, while getting in touch with us for any more expert advice. Trust us – your mouth and your dentist will be thanking you.
