Stop Smoking And Save Your Smile

As a smoker you’re probably well aware that your habit can cause lung cancer and emphysema but did you know it can also affect your smile? Regular smoking causes a variety of dental problems which make your smile look unsightly. As a dentist in North Harrow we like our patients to be as informed as possible about all things dental, so we hope that by understanding how smoking affects your oral health, it could give you the motivation you need to quit smoking.

Cosmetic changes

Cigarettes contain a whopping 599 additives, which although approved for food use, when burned a lot of their properties are changed for the worse. More than 4000 chemicals are caused by lighting up a cigarette and 69 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Other ingredients in cigarettes include nicotine and tar which are absorbed by tooth enamel, turning teeth an unpleasant yellowish colour. In heavy smokers teeth can turn almost dark brown in colour.

Chemicals in cigarettes and cigars also cause a build up of plaque and tartar on the surface of the teeth. This increases the chance of tooth decay and cavities forming and can lead to other dental problems. In addition, the act of pursing your lips round your cigarette leads to tiny wrinkles forming around your mouth, which detracts from your once beautiful smile.

More serious dental problems

Besides unsightly teeth, smoking can cause serious health problems. Carcinogens in cigarettes raise the risk of oral cancer which is why it’s so important that you have an oral cancer screening at the clinic at least once a year. Smokers are also more prone to gum disease which can result in tooth loss. They may also find that in later life they have lost a considerable amount of bone in the jaw, which can lead to more significant dental problems particularly if they want to replace missing teeth with dental implants in North Harrow. Smoking is also known to slow down the healing process and often, it doesn’t occur at all, which leads to dental implant failure. For this reason smokers will be asked to quit smoking for the entire duration of the implant process, which can be nine months or longer.

Treatment for smoking related oral health problems

You’ll by told by any dentist in North Harrow that the best defence against oral health problems is to stop smoking. By decreasing the amount of chemicals and nicotine that you consume you’ll be less at risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer. Here at Imperial Dental Care we can offer advice and encouragement along with regular dental checks. We can also discuss teeth whitening in North Harrow to brighten your smile and things you can do to prevent gum disease. Why not get in touch with us on 020 8427 2264 and book an initial check up consultation or you can contact us online at www.imperialdentalcare.co.uk. We look forward to meeting you.