You probably already know that smoking is bad for your teeth—but do you know exactly how it causes damage? From stained enamel and persistent bad breath to severe gum disease and tooth loss, tobacco use can have lasting effects on your oral health. Fortunately, if you’ve quit smoking or are trying to reduce its impact, there are ways to restore your smile. At Cedarwood Dentistry, we offer a range of services—including cosmetic treatments like veneers and whitening, restorative dentistry for damaged or missing teeth, and gum disease therapy—to help you get your oral health back on track.
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How Smoking Impacts Oral Health
Oral Cancer Risk for Smokers
The biggest risk smoking poses to one’s oral health is that of oral cancer.
“Smoking is a known carcinogen,” says Dr. Wolberg of Cedarwood Dentistry. “So in our assessments, we look for swollen lymph nodes or any abnormalities in the throat or tongue that can be found in tobacco users and can mean oral cancer.”
If there are signs of oral cancer, like lesions on the side of the tongue that don’t go away, the patient will need to get a biopsy or see a specialist to diagnose those symptoms.
Periodontal Disease
There is a link between smoking and periodontal disease, which is related to the bone around our teeth & gums. Tobacco users usually have periodontal disease. This disease requires more targeted and specific treatments when at the dentist to avoid excessive loss of tooth structure, which can lead to other health issues.
Dry Mouth and Cavities
Smoking ruins teeth also by causing dry mouth. Tobacco’s ability to dry out the mouth sets the stage for cavities as decreased saliva flow fails to wash away food particles and bacteria, which contributes to cavities and tooth decay.
Staining and Bacteria
Smoking stains teeth, and these stains can trap bacteria, leading to further dental decay and aesthetic concerns.
Altered Taste
The impact of smoking extends to sensory experiences as well as aesthetic and oral health concerns. Tobacco can alter taste perception in the mouth and diminish the enjoyment of food.
The Reversible and Irreversible Damage of Smoking:
While quitting smoking can stop some negative side effects from continuing to appear in the mouth, other negative effects are irreversible. Ceasing smoking can halt the progression of bone loss from periodontal disease, although the loss that’s already taken place cannot be reverted – you can’t regrow your teeth.
On the flip side, people who successfully quit smoking can, and generally do, experience improvements in taste and breath freshness. Staining can also generally be reversed with whitening treatments that burn off stains from teeth.
Smoking vs. Vaping
While vaping might introduce smaller amounts of tobacco, its effects, including signs of nicotine stomatitis, indicate it’s not without risks to oral health. Nicotine stomatitis is caused from the heat produced while smoking or vaping, meaning anyone who smokes any substance is at risk for developing this condition. In addition, there’s a possibility that vaping ruins teeth from the concoction of other harmful substances it contains, including sugar, which increases the risk of cavities.
Preventative Advice for Smokers
Although many negative side effects of smoking are unavoidable, there are treatments and extra care measures that dentists can take to help smoking patients combat some of the negative effects. At Cedarwood Dentistry, we engage in proactive discussions with our smoking patients, emphasizing treatment options and suggesting routine care to stay on top of common oral issues found in smoking patients.
Oral Treatment Options for Smokers
“We talk about whitening with our smoking patients because whitening can help prevent cavities,” explained Dr. Wolberg. “But everything we do is patient led – we discuss options but don’t pressure anyone into getting a specific treatment. We want our patients to receive treatments that align with their own personal goals and preferences.”
In addition to discussing whitening for smoking patients, Cedarwood Dentistry also treats periodontal disease in smoking patients, making sure to clean out all bacteria possible from periodontal pockets found in the gums.
How Cedarwood Helps Smoking Patients
At Cedarwood Dentistry, patients who use tobacco and other smokable products are treated with the same care and concern as patients who do not. The dental professionals at Cedarwood Dentistry suggest that patients who smoke, chew tobacco, or vape come in more frequently for cleanings and dental exams. During these dental exams, patients are closely checked for signs of oral cancer and cavities.
“Tobacco users really need to come in regularly for cleanings & exams to stay ahead of things,” says Dr. Wolberg. “And they should get fluoride varnish treatments at every visit because they’re at a high cavity risk”
Smoking Ruins Teeth but Cedarwood Can Help!
At Cedarwood Dentistry, we navigate the journey from understanding how smoking ruins teeth to achieving a restored, healthy smile with our patients everyday. If you smoke or vape but want to maintain your oral health, or if you recently quit smoking and want to improve your smile, reach out to Cedarwood Dentistry to begin your journey toward restoration and a more beautiful smile.