Each year, on average, more than 8 million people die from smoking. However, the number of lives affected by the harmful side effects of the same is still unknown. It is not only life-threatening but also has other dangerous side effects.
Smoking affects a person in numerous ways. It even affects one's oral health. Yes, that’s true. If you are curious about how smoking affects oral health, then wait no further. Explore the article in detail to discover how smoking impacts your oral health.
Effects of smoking on oral health
It has many negative impacts on a person's health. It degrades a person's oral hygiene and causes several other harmful effects. A few of them include:
Teeth staining
Teeth staining is a common oral health risk associated with people who smoke. Nicotine and tar present in tobacco cause dental discolouration. They stick to the teeth and form permanent stains. With time, these stains become permanent and are hard to remove.
Gum diseases
Gum disease, or gingivitis, is another harmful side effect of smoking. Plaque is another cause of gum disorders. Red, swollen, or bleeding gums are the most common signs of gum disease.
Oral cancer
Smoking is a significant cause of the increased number of oral cancers. It is wrong for oral hygiene. People usually get infected with oral cancer because they get exposed to harmful chemicals like nicotine, lead, arsenic, etc.
Tooth decay
Smoking doesn't cause tooth decay directly. However, smoking builds up plaque on teeth, which can cause tooth decay. Furthermore, it increases dental problems like oral infections and gum disease. It is responsible for delayed healing. So, when a person goes for oral health treatments, he might not recover properly.
Bad breath
Smoking is also associated with dental problems, like bad breath. The saliva production is usually less in people who smoke or chew tobacco. Therefore, the harmful chemicals in tobacco remain in the mouth for a longer period. As a result, the growth of harmful bacteria increases. It causes bad breath.
How to quit smoking?
One should quit smoking to maintain oral hygiene and for overall well-being. It is not possible to quit smoking immediately. But by taking small steps, it is easy to give up on smoking.
A few steps that one can take to quit smoking are:
- Nicotine replacement therapy: These therapies help the patients overcome their cravings. They also help to cope with the withdrawal symptoms after a person quits smoking.
- Keep yourself engaged: A person will not be attracted to smoking when he is busy. Therefore, try reading books, exercising, and keeping busy with work to distract yourself.
- Practice yoga: Yoga is a great idea to tackle smoking cravings. Yoga relaxes a person’s mind, and he is less attracted to bad habits like smoking or drinking.
- Take medicines: There are a few medicines that doctors prescribe to patients who are willing to quit smoking. These drugs help suppress cravings to smoke and are effective in dealing with withdrawal symptoms.
Bottom line
Smoking produces terrible effects on a person’s physical, mental, and oral health. It can cause severe issues like gum diseases, bad breath, and, at its worst -, oral cancer. There is a danger of addiction when it comes to smoking.
But that isn’t the end of the world. You can quit smoking if you are determined. Adopt healthy practices and take a step towards a healthy and prosperous life.
Consult a doctor and get help from your family and friends to adopt a smoking-free lifestyle and make oral health a priority.