How does smoking affect your teeth?
Smoking is a menace for your physical health. However, it has a particularly nasty effect on your teeth. The acrid smoke can damage the enamel of your teeth over time, so if you haven’t quit yet, then this is one more reason to do so. Are you ready to learn more about how smoking affects your teeth? Let’s take a look!
Say goodbye to a white smile.
One of the most noticeable problems caused by smoking is a discoloration of the teeth. What begins a a gentle yellowing, eventually escalates into a severe brown. The reason that the teeth discolor is because of the staining power of cigarette smoke. Have you even been in a room that someone has been smoking in for many years? Eventually the walls turn brownish, right? The same thing happens to your teeth.
Smoking causes a greater risk for gum disease.
Gum disease is not a lot of fun. Not only is it unattractive, it also paves the way for tooth loss. The amount of bacteria that your mouth is exposed to while smoking is so significant that it causes a severe imbalance. This damages the gums overtime and can lead to a recession. When the gums recede, the root of the tooth becomes exposed. Not only can this lead to a great deal of pain, but it can also cause the tooth to decay faster.
Smoking stops your mouth from healing.
When you get a tooth removed or endure some other form of oral surgery, you need time for your mouth to heal. Smoking slows this process to a crawl and opens a wider window for infection to take hold. Part of the reason this happens is because of the bacteria build-up, but smoking also leads to dry mouth. Dry mouth is the enemy of oral healing.
Get In Touch With Olney Dental Today
Interested in learning more about how dentistry can make your smile happier? Call Olney Dental at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online for an appointment. We cater to the needs of people who are deathly afraid of going to the dentist with effective tactics and modern techniques. Find us in the Montgomery General Hospital campus! We’ll be happy to help you with cosmetic needs or a simple dental checkup! Don’t forget to visit Facebook, Twitter, Google+,Pinterest, and YouTube to connect with us on social media.