Smoking, Vaping, and Your Oral Health. What You Need to Know.
By Dr. Brett Silverman | Dec 29, 2020 | General Oral Care
Growing up, we all heard the negative impact that smoking can have on your overall health. The CDC notes that 1 in 5 deaths are linked to smoking. Coronary heart disease, cancers, stroke, and respiratory disease are at an increased risk for smokers, as well.
Now with the introduction of vaping, the long term health consequences are still unknown, but what we do know is that vaping does not present any positives when it comes to oral health.
Smoking and its Impact on your oral health
There is no case for smoking when it comes to oral health. Smoking has been known to cause bad breath and discoloration, while escalating gum disease and tooth decay.
Smoking can also cause tooth loss and stunt the healing process for any infections or issues going on in your mouth.
Simultaneously, studies have shown that smoking can also impact the success of dental implant procedures and opens your mouth up to the possibility of cancer.
Gum disease is also increased in the oral health of smokers as the chemicals compromise the bone connected to the gum tissue.
If not addressed, periodontal disease is very likely. Naturally, as the chemicals and smoke pass over your teeth, discoloration will occur causing your teeth to look darker and dingy.
Don’t forget – oral health is not limited to just your teeth and gums. Your tongue, throat, and esophagus can be compromised through smoking. Some effects are more immediate than others.
However, we have enough evidence and information at this point to know that there are no benefits connecting with smoking and your oral health.
Vaping and its Impact on your oral health
Vaping and e-cigarettes are the newest addition to the smoking arena. There is still so much to learn and research when it comes to vaping and the long-term health issues that can result from this type of smoking.
And while we don’t have all of the information now, we have enough to make decisions that can protect our oral health for the better.
Vaping is the process in which a liquid chamber heats up and becomes an aerosol that is then inhaled and smoked by the user. The concern is that on top of nicotine, there are a number of harmful and dangerous chemicals that make up this liquid.
Vaping is a very deceiving option for smoking because the myth swirling around is that vaping is safer than traditional smoking. We know this is simply not the case.
Like traditional smoking, vaping can break down the mouth’s environment and open you up to become more susceptible to get cavities and tooth decay.
Dry mouth can also occur and take away the body’s natural process of rinsing and cleansing the mouth. This also elevates the risk of cavities.
The impact that vaping has on one’s lungs is unpredictable and damaging. People who were in good health have found themselves in serious situations where medical professionals have had to care for them without sufficient information on all that vaping is doing.
Seek help – Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry is here for you
If smoking or vaping has had control over your life, you’re not alone. Truly. Begin your journey towards health by seeing your primary care physician to discuss your cessation strategy followed by a visit to Dr. Silverman and the team at Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry.
By taking an active role in managing your smoking and vaping, you can change your life and overall health, as well as your oral health.
Our office will welcome any questions and concerns surrounding your oral health and how smoking and/or vaping has impacted you. Dr. Silverman will walk you through the procedures available to assist you in getting your oral health back on track.
Call us today to schedule your appointment to receive the care you not only need, but deserve! We’ll be here when you’re ready.
Resources:
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health#1
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm
Posted by Advanced Cosmetic and Family Dentistry
4205 North Point Parkway, Building D, Alpharetta, GA 30022
Phone: (678) 551-6864