Smoking can cause different oral pathologies of different severity
You have heard repeatedly that 'smoking seriously harms your health', but do you know how? Perhaps the first answer that comes to mind is respiratory and lung problems. But there are more negative effects closely linked also to your oral health. And, when you light a cigarette, you are doing your mouth a disservice through various manifestations, ranging from small cosmetic changes to some types of cancer. In Oral B they have carried out a study that indicates that the scientific evidence that demonstrates the relationship between smoking and oral problems is very convincing and underscores the urgent need to promote smoking cessation or, in case of maintaining the habit, encourage excellent oral hygiene to mitigate its effects to a greater extent.
Oral cancer, the most serious consequence
It is, without a doubt, the most serious problem related to tobacco. In Spain, for example, every year around 2,000 people develop oral cancer, whose associated mortality rate is still high, with a survival of only 50% 5 years after the development of the disease, although early detection increases significantly the odds of survival. As pointed out by the Oral B brand, poor oral hygiene is a risk factor for developing oral cancer and patients who do not brush never have an increased risk of developing esophageal cancer.
Furthermore, between 75% and 90% of all cases of oral cancer are linked to the combined effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption. Smokers who do not consume alcohol have a 2 to 4 times greater risk of developing oral cancer than people who do not drink or smoke, while smoking and heavy drinking together multiply by 38 the possibility of developing cancer. But there is even more: Malignant lesions (those considered precancerous lesions) occur six times more frequently in smokers than in nonsmokers.
Periodontal pathologies, an added problem
Aside from this serious health problem, there are other effects of tobacco in our mouth. Smokers, for example, have a higher prevalence and severity in periodontitis, deeper periodontal pockets and a more severe loss of tooth insertion. Usually they present a gum with a paler tone and long-term smokers have teeth with loss of bone support, 'emaciated' and with an aesthetic that ages the smile, since the papillae of the gum disappear between the teeth and dark spaces appear instead, a very difficult aesthetic solution for the dentist.
Thus, smokers have a 2.5 to 6 times greater risk of suffering periodontal disease than non-smokers. Smoking has also been shown to have an adverse effect on wound healing after surgery, lowering the risk of dry socket (painful post-operative after periodontal surgery or tooth extraction).
In addition, tobacco masks the inflammation of the gums and the gums bleed less despite being inflamed. Many patients with gum problems notice increased bleeding during brushing after decreasing tobacco use.
And the cavities?
Lighting a cigarette also influences the appearance of these lesions, because among smokers a greater amount of caries is observed in the roots of the teeth, since the smoking habit causes the loss of its support and exposes the root, the area of the tooth with a high caries risk. In turn, they present a decrease in salivary secretion, which leads to a lesser plaque neutralizing capacity. They also tend to have a greater tendency to consume sugary drinks, eat between meals and eat less fruit, so maintaining optimal oral hygiene is crucial.
Smokers have a higher number of aggressive gum bacteria and poorer plaque control than nonsmokers. The levels of pathogenic bacteria in dental plaque are higher in the most complex and difficult to access brushing areas, which requires the use of an effective toothbrush to eliminate these plaque accumulations.
What are the smoker's palate and melanosis?
People who smoke a high number of cigarettes frequently develop a hard, pale, or white palate, often combined with multiple red dots. This is due to circulatory ischemia (constriction of blood vessels with less blood flow) and may disappear after you quit smoking.
Furthermore, heavy tobacco use is sometimes also associated with melanin pigmentation (dark pigmentation), especially on the cheeks and attached gingiva. This is an asymptomatic and reversible change, although it usually takes more than a year to regain normal color after quitting.
Does it affect dental implants?
As pointed out by Oral B, the failure rate of dental implants is higher in smokers. Smoking is related to a greater loss of bone support of the implants, especially in the upper jaw, influencing the total loss of a dental implant. In addition, there is an increased risk of failure to integrate the implant after it is placed, which requires removal of the implant, a few months of waiting, and the placement of a new implant.
Without a doubt, more reasons to encourage smokers to permanently quit smoking. Your health will thank you.
What do you think?
Have you ever smoked tobacco, what has been your experience. Leave us your opinion in the comment box.
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