So Cigarettes Are Bad For Your Teeth But What About E-Cigarettes, Nicotine Gum And Shisha?
Most of know that smoking is bad for us and that it impacts on dental health too. From a physical aspect it can stain the teeth a dull yellowish shade and also cause the breath to smell unpleasant. However it can also do a lot more damage to your mouth which isn’t always visible to the eye. A dentist in Southend explains:
- It can cause an excess build up of plaque and tartar
- Increase the risk of developing gum disease
- Cause bone loss within the jaw
- Decreases the rate of success of certain dental treatments
- Raises the recovery time following oral surgery
- Increases the risk of oral infections
Ultimately, smoking is also proven to increase the risk of developing oral cancer. So it’s true to say that smoking and oral health don’t mix. But what about other forms of smoking – how dangerous are they? Our dentist in Southend had this to say:
E-Cigarettes – Many smokers have changed to ‘vaping’ which is considered a healthier and more affordable option to smoking. Since it’s a relatively new concept it’s still unknown what impact this has on a person’s oral health. Since they don’t contain the harmful chemicals of traditional cigarettes or produce smoke you’d except them to be a healthier option for the teeth. However they do still contain nicotine which reduces the level of saliva produced in the mouth. This can lead to Dry Mouth which in turn can increase the level of bacteria in the mouth and cause tooth decay.
Nicotine gum – Millions of people in the UK try nicotine gum every year in an attempt to stop smoking, but these too can cause certain oral problems such as blisters, sores, jaw pain and mouth irritations. However, what you have to bear in mind is that since the idea is that nicotine gum helps a person quit smoking, then they should only be chewing gum for a matter of weeks or months as opposed to the rest of their lives.
Shisha – Also known as hookah and bubble gum smoking is actually worse for a person than traditional cigarettes, according to studies. It’s estimated that Shisha smokers are 5 times more at risk of developing periodontal disease than people who don’t smoke. This compares to a risk of 3-8 times for a person smoking traditional cigarettes. Shisha smoking can also lead to dry mouth, bad breath, and an increased risk of oral cancer.
In conclusion smoking is not good for your teeth or oral health and even though some alternatives may be better for you in this respect, they also have certain oral side effects. Therefore the very best way to prevent smoking from impacting on your oral health is to stop altogether. As a Southend dentist it’s important that we tell you the risks of smoking but we’re also here to help and support you in any way we can. If you haven’t had a check-up in a while then why not pay Southend dental Care a visit. We can also carry out an oral cancer screening for your peace of mind. Call us today on 01702 465000 or make an appointment on line at www.southenddentalcare.co.uk. We’re a private and NHS dentist in Southend committing to providing the very best dental care to all our patients.