Each cigarette contains thousands of chemical particles that mix with saliva in the mouth to form a toxic “cocktail” that causes many dental problems.
The chemicals in cigarettes affect the whole body, affect the lungs, increase the risk of developing cancer and heart problems. But no less is the influence of chemicals on the oral cavity, 7 cigarette influences have been found on our mouths.
Unpleasant yellow color of the teeth
For a short period of time, the color change of the teeth begins under the influence of smoking. Nicotine and tar in cigarettes affect the yellowing of the teeth. Heavy smokers report that after long use of cigarettes their teeth get a brownish hue.
Periodontal problems and loss of teeth
Smokers with higher rates develop severe necrotizing gingivitis. In addition, worse levels of oral hygiene, higher levels of tartar have been observed. Smokers often develop periodontal diseases regardless of oral hygiene.
When comparing smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis, smokers have:
Higher number of deep pockets;
More loss of attachment, more gingival recessions;
More loss of alveolar bone;
More tooth loss;
More teeth with frightening injuries.
Root surfaces in smokers are additionally contaminated with smoking products such as nicotine. Smoking has a direct effect on bone loss and has established a risk factor for osteoporosis.
Several studies have shown that more bacterial species associated with periodontitis, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Prevotella intermedia, Scoccus aureus, E. coli and Candida albicans , are more common than smokers.
Smoking has an effect on the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity that are involved in plaque formation around the teeth. This is a prerequisite for the development of carious processes and bad breath. The plaque produced by smoking may also affect soft tissues around the tooth root. Inflammation can also affect the bone and cause it to melt.
Accumulation of tartar
When the plaque lasts for a long time on the teeth it becomes a mature plaque, and then begins to mineralize it. The teeth accumulate tartar. Smokers are more likely to accumulate plaque and tartar. The accumulation of tartar leads to inflammatory processes of the gingiva and the occurrence of periodontal problems.
Cervical cancer and tongue
Smoking causes a change in the composition of the saliva by turning it into a “lethal cocktail” that damages the cells in the oral cavity and turns them into carcinogenic.
It was found that the risk of developing oral cancer in smokers is 5-9 times higher and increases to 17 times when consuming 80 cigarettes a day. For dose-dependent factors for the development of oral cancer, 11-20 cigarettes a day and 350g of alcohol per week are taken.
Usually, oral cancer is presented with whitish, painful spots, in the center of which there is a flare-up.
Pre-treatment sites are the floor of the oral cavity and tongue. In case of carcinoma of the tongue, the first symptom is the severe pain that is likely to irradiate to the ear. Subsequent symptoms may be limitations in the movement of the tongue, tingling, and paraesthesia. More often, the sick see undeveloped ulcers in the oral mucosa.
Bad breath
Bad breath is the most common and primary problem for smokers. Cigarettes leave particles of cigarette smoke that remain for a long time in the mouth, throat, lungs.
Gray / white spots on the mucous membrane
Smoking can also cause gray or white spots on the mucous membrane in the oral cavity. They can be located on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, on the floor of the oral cavity. These spots are often leukemia. Levoplakia is considered precancerous.
If you are a smoker, you can take the following care of good oral hygiene:
Wash your teeth in the morning and in the evening after a meal with fluoride toothpaste .;
Reduce your consumption of sugary foods and beverages and acidic ones;
Visit your dentist regularly;
Try to stop or at least reduce the number of smoked cigarettes.
If you notice something unusual in your oral cavity, visit your dentist as soon as possible.
