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Good oral hygiene consists of more than brushing your teeth and flossing every day. It also involves being careful about the substances you routinely allow in your mouth. If you smoke, you could be putting yourself at risk for a number of dental issues. Below is an overview of some of the most significant risks of smoking as well as suggestions for preventing these issues.

The Consequences of Smoking for Your Teeth 

Tobacco, nicotine, and the other chemicals in cigarettes have a variety of negative effects on your oral health. Even if you have otherwise impeccable oral hygiene, you can still experience the following issues if you smoke:

  • Halitosis and yellowish stains on your teeth.
  • Thick, stubborn accumulation of tartar and plaque.  
  • Lower defenses against infection. This occurs because smoking inhibits normal blood circulation. Smoking makes you at least twice as susceptible to gum disease as someone who doesn’t smoke and three to six times more susceptible if you’ve smoked frequently for an extended period of time.
  • An increased risk of developing oral cancer affecting your mouth, lips, or throat.

What Can You Do About It? 

oral hygieneBy maintaining a strict oral hygiene routine of brushing and flossing twice daily, along with using an antimicrobial mouthwash, you can reduce your chances of experiencing the above issues, even if you still smoke. If regular brushing doesn’t get rid of your tartar and plaque, you can eliminate the issue with a professional cleaning from your dentist. Cleanings can also prevent or eliminate yellow stains, but you can get a head start at home by scrubbing them with whitening toothpaste. Gum disease can be treated by a dentist, but if you continue smoking, the treatment will likely be less effective. Regardless of the results, see a dentist at least every six months for cleanings and oral exams.

However, the most effective way to prevent dental problems related to smoking is to quit the habit entirely. Using nicotine patches, chewing nicotine gum, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol, focusing on hobbies, and attending support groups can all help you gradually overcome the desire to smoke.

 

 

To supplement your oral hygiene routine and get the best possible results for your teeth regardless of whether you smoke, go to Allen S. Braumiller Jr. DDS, PC in Coweta, OK. With more than 33 years of experience, Dr. Braumiller stays up to date with the most modern equipment and techniques and forms personalized treatments and long-term dental health plans for his patients. Check his availability today by calling his office at (918) 486-6516. Learn more about his services online

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