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Globally, China holds the top spot for both tobacco production and consumption, with India following closely behind. Regrettably, in India, over 35% of individuals who are 15 years old or above are tobacco users, resulting in over a million deaths annually due to tobacco-related diseases. Despite a slight decline in tobacco consumption over the past few years, the northeastern states of India continue to have the highest usage rates. While we all know that tobacco use is detrimental to overall health, in this blog, you will find out how it can impact oral health. In case you are facing any of the following issues and require an expert consultation, you can book an appointment with Dr Sween Kathuria. Now, let’s look at how tobacco usage affects dental health.
Bad Breath
When you smoke a cigarette, the smoke particles linger in your mouth, leading to a type of bad breath known as “stale smoker’s breath.” Similarly, both smoking and chewing tobacco can reduce saliva production, resulting in a dry mouth. A lack of saliva creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow, which can also cause bad breath.
Tooth Discolouration
Your teeth can easily absorb nicotine, which can cause discolouration. Even though nicotine is colourless, when it mixes with oxygen, it can turn teeth from white to yellow. For those who chew tobacco, the combination of nicotine and saliva can create a dark brown liquid that stains tooth enamel if allowed to stay in the mouth for an extended period.
Gum Disease
Tobacco use, whether through smoking or chewing, can have a negative impact on the attachment of gums to teeth. This is because the plaque that forms near the gum line can interfere with gum tissue cells, which weakens the immune system and makes it harder to fight off infections. Nicotine also reduces blood flow to the gums, leaving you more susceptible to oral infections. Additionally, particles left behind in the mouth can exacerbate dry mouth symptoms, which creates an ideal environment for bacteria to grow and cause inflammation. Over time, tobacco use can affect the bone structure of the mouth and lead to gum recession, increasing your risk of jaw bone infection and potential tooth loss.
Lowered Success Rate of Dental Implants
In cosmetic procedures like dental treatment, it’s important to have healthy and sufficient bone structure to support the new teeth. However, in smokers or tobacco users, the healing process may take longer than usual due to a compromised immune system. This delayed healing time also applies to tooth extraction and other oral surgeries.
Tobacco consumption is responsible for a significant percentage of diagnosed oral cancers, ranging from 80 to 90%. This makes mouth and jaw cancer the primary reason why quitting smoking or chewing tobacco is so critical. While tobacco use can lead to other health problems, they are typically less life-threatening than cancer. One of the reasons tobacco is so detrimental to oral health is that it can easily filter into mouth tissues and glands. With constant use, tobacco absorption and filtration become a continuous process, making it easier for mouth cancer to develop.
Transform Your Smile with Dr Kathuria’s Dentistry: Leading the Way in Top-Quality Oral Health Care!
Dr. Kathuria’s Dentistry provides the best full dental implants in South Delhi and consultations to promote optimal dental health. Our knowledgeable team of specialists includes Dr. Sween Kathuria, who is dedicated to providing you with the finest level of treatment possible by utilising modern equipment and practices. Make an appointment now to enjoy our great treatments and begin your journey to a healthy smile.
