How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health

We don’t have to remind you of the dangers of smoking and how it affects your overall health. But you may not think about the impact that the habit can have on your oral health. Smoking leads to oral health problems like gum disease, stained teeth, and oral cancer.

Our Pikesville, MD dental team would like you to be aware of the dangers of smoking and the impact it has on your oral health

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a bacterial infection that attacks your gums and the structures that support your teeth. It’s a particular problem for smokers because using tobacco weakens your immune system, which makes it harder to fight off the infection.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that smokers are two times more likely to develop gum disease compared with a nonsmoker and nearly twice as likely to lose their teeth.

Oral Cancer

It’s no secret that smoking causes many different types of cancer. But you may not be aware that tobacco use is the number one cause of oral cancer.  Unfortunately, the fatality rate for oral cancer is very high because it is a particularly aggressive type of cancer, and it can easily go undetected.

Our Pikesville, MD dental team stresses the importance of routine dental visits because it allows us to screen you for oral cancer. Early detection is essential because when oral cancer is caught early, survival rates are about 80%.

Of course, the obvious answer is to quit using tobacco, but we know how difficult that may be for you. If you are a smoker, we urge you to stay current with routine exams, cleanings, and x-rays. With careful monitoring and preventive treatments, we can stay a step ahead of problems and ensure that your smile is as healthy as it can be.