Many factors affect your teeth over time, but you have control over some of them, such as smoking and dental hygiene practices. If you smoke, it can cause problems ranging from discoloration to serious health concerns that require treatment from a dentist. On the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Lisa Valderueda, D.M.D., has been offering premier dental care to the Waipahu community for more than 20 years, helping patients achieve and maintain beautiful smiles. Their dental care professionals explain the adverse effects smoking has on your mouth. 

From a cosmetic standpoint, the nicotine in cigarettes can turn your tooth enamel a yellowish brown shade. While professional teeth whitening can remove stains, the discoloration could set in if you continue to use tobacco.

Gum disease also is a significant problem for smokers. They have a weaker immune system and less oxygen in their bloodstream than nonsmokers, making it harder to recover from infections. Smokers accumulate more bacterial plaque than the average nonsmoker, and it can set in during the early stages of gum disease. If left untreated, the condition can lead to tooth loss.

Smoking also is one of the leading causes of mouth cancer, which can be fatal if it’s not treated early. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 48,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed each year and 9,600 people die from the condition, with tobacco use one of the leading risk factors for developing the disease. 

Smoking puts not only your oral health but life at risk. If you’re a smoker, it’s imperative to visit a dentist twice a year so they can detect issues with your teeth, gums, tongue, and mouth before they cause permanent damage.

If you’re looking for an experienced and caring family dental clinic on Oahu, turn to Lisa Valderueda, D.M.D., in Waipahu, HI. Whether you need a routine checkup and teeth cleaning or advanced family and cosmetic dentistry services like veneers, they can take care of you. They even offer morning and evening appointments to keep your oral health on track. Call (808) 676-5711 to schedule an appointment and visit their website to learn about their dental care team. Check their Google+ page for more oral health tips.