Smoking has a negative impact on your health, and this includes your teeth. If you smoke tobacco, you may be more likely to develop various oral health problems. Use this guide to learn more about how smoking affects your dental health and how a dentist can help.

The Oral Health Effects of Smoking

Tooth discoloration is one of the most obvious consequences of smoking. The nicotine and tar in cigarettes can penetrate the surface of your teeth, which makes these stains difficult to remove with brushing and flossing alone. Smoking can also increase bacteria growth in your mouth, which contributes to bad breath.

Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease than nonsmokers. Smoking tobacco can restrict blood flow to the gums, leaving them more susceptible to infection. If gum disease isn’t treated promptly by a dentist, eventually, the receding gums won’t be able to support your teeth, and they may fall out.

How Can Smokers Improve Their Dental Health?

Quitting smoking is ultimately the best way to reduce your risk of oral health problems. However, if you’re unable to quit right now, you can still take steps to improve your dental health, including:

• Visiting the Dentist Often: Try to visit your dentist more frequently than twice a year. During these checkups, they will look for early signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and other oral health problems and treat them promptly.
• Limiting Foods That Cause Staining: Because smoking tobacco causes tooth discoloration, try to avoid consuming foods and beverages that will cause further staining. If you limit your intake of coffee, red wine, and red sauces, your smile may appear whiter.
• Using Fluoride Toothpaste: Fluoride toothpaste provides better protection against cavities, gum disease, and bad breath than regular toothpaste.

If it has been more than six months since your last dental checkup, visit Bradley M. Stewart, DMD in Olive Branch, MS. This dentist and his staff have been serving the community for over 15 years and are committed to improving their patients’ oral health. They provide a wide variety of services, from routine teeth cleaning to dental implants. For more information, call (662)-893-5800 or visit the website.