Whist most people are aware that smoking can cause health problems and some fatal diseases, many fail to realise what the habit does to mouth, teeth and gums. Smoking, for the most part, can result in tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and at worst, mouth cancer. According to research from Action on Smoking and Health, smoking and chewing tobacco is a risk factor associated with chronic periodontal diseases.

1. Blue Sky Dentistry
http://www.blueskydentist.com
Smoking, Mouth,
Teeth and Gums

2. Whist most people are aware that smoking can cause health problems and some fatal
diseases, many fail to realise what the habit does to mouth, teeth and gums. Smoking,
for the most part, can result in tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and at worst,
mouth cancer. According to research from Action on Smoking and Health, smoking and
chewing tobacco is a risk factor associated with chronic periodontal diseases.
Yellowing and Browning of Teeth
Staining, according to the British Dental Health Foundation, is one of the many
noticeable effects of smoking. Other than making the teeth appear yellow in a short
amount of time, heavy smokers are also likely to see browning of teeth after several
years. The habit can also stain and discolour dentures and restorations. Smokeless
tobacco users and pipe smokers are susceptible to excessive wear on teeth (becoming
flat). Bad breath and higher levels of tartar are also common among them.

3. Increased Risk of Gum Disease
With bacterial plaque common among smokers, gum disease is more likely to follow.
Studies estimate that smokers have between a 5- to 20-fold increased risk of
periodontal disease. It was in 1946 when the association between smoking and
gingivitis was established. This only means that the severity of gum disease increases
with the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking, furthermore, changes the cells that
fight bacteria, which then affect the person’s ability to clear pathogens.
Oral Cancer and Tobacco Use
Smoking is also known to cause oral cancer, with the US Surgeon General concluding
that tobacco use is the major cause of the said disease. The disease includes all cancers
of the tongue, lip, gingiva, oral mucosa and oropharynx. The Cancer Research UK also
cites tobacco and smokeless tobacco as risk factors for oral cancer. Exposure to
second-hand smoke (SHS) may also increase risk of oral cancer, with studies
suggesting that non-smokers who were exposed to SHS at home and work show a 63
per cent increase of the disease.

4. Sources:
 http://www.blueskydentist.com/
 http://ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_598.pdf
 https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/sundry/smoking-and-oral-
health
The good news is, it is always possible to avoid these detrimental effects by quitting
smoking. The British Dental Health Foundation also suggests visiting the dentist
regularly for a check-up and a full month examination. Smokers are more likely to
have stained teeth and gum diseases, and will therefore need appointment more often
than those who do not smoke.