The mouth is the gateway to the body and tobacco is the worst enemy of teeth and gums. Smoking can cause a variety of harmful diseases in the mouth as it alters the micro-environment and predisposes smokers to conditions such as:
Gingivitis: this is when the gums bleed because they are irritated and inflamed. The gums are soft tissue that easily absorb the chemical components of tobacco and if you don’t cure this first stage of the disease, it can lead to periodontitis.
- Periodontitis: is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the periodontium (this is the name given to the tissues, ligaments and bones that surround the teeth). Left untreated, it can cause severe damage and ultimately result in the loss of teeth.
Halitosis: is bad breath, tobacco has a characteristic smell that originates from other substances that are added to cigarettes including tar which can cause and aggravate halitosis. - Yellow teeth: is another problem that smokers may have due to the nicotine and tar being inhaled into the mouth from cigarettes.
- Taste and smell decrease: smokers often feel that their sense of taste and smell decrease due to the mixture of components in tobacco. This may result in the inability to identify dangerous odours or flavours and can also contribute to an increase in salt intake, which in turn can lead to hypertension.
- Cavities: smoking increases the risk of cavities and reduces the natural flow of saliva in the mouth.
- Increased risk of dental implant problems: smokers have twice the probability that their dental implants may fail or easily become infected.
- Delay in the healing of injuries: the decrease in the defenses and blood flow in smokers gums increases the risk of infection and reduces the ability of tissue to repair, this can delay the healing of traumatic or surgical injuries.
- Leukoplakia: is a condition that produces white spots or patches anywhere in the mouth. These patches are often premalignant lesions.
- Increased risk of mouth/oral cancer: tobacco contains a lot of substances that cause cancer, the most harmful are nicotine and tar. If in addition to smoking you frequently drink alcohol, the risk of being diagnosed with oral cancer is very high. Oral cancer has a high mortality rate as well as serious aesthetic side effects.
Tips to take care of your mouth:
To improve the appearance and health of your mouth it is essential that you quit smoking as soon as possible. There are many treatments that can correct the damage that smoking has inflicted on your teeth:
Basic and more frequent hygiene: it is very important to brush your teeth after eating, using mouthwash and dental floss. Smokers should do this more frequently.
Professional cleaning: your dentist can remove tobacco stains from your teeth with deep dental cleaning. You should talk to your dentist to discuss how often you will need this done as each patient is different.
For more information visit Gran Alacant Family Doctors
www.familydoctors24h.com or our clinic on Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square, Gran Alacant T: 865 789 554
THIS MONTH’S PROMOTIONS
- Cardiovascular risk checkup – Two consults with GP, complete physical examination – Blood test – ECG (electrocardiogram) 50 euros (normal price 110 euros)
- Complete evaluation with cardiologist – Complete examination – ECG (electrocardiogram) – Echocardiogram 130 euros (normal price 200 euros)
- Whitening with LED lamp in only one session 150 euros (normal price 200 euros)
- 20% discount on conventionally orthodontic
