Most people nowadays are aware of the impact smoking has on health and how it can negatively impact one’s style of living. However, most people are unaware of the fact that smoking can have a negative impact on oral health.
Among the fastest growing trends in recent years has been the vaporizing of flavored nicotine juices. In spite of vaping being marketed as a better alternative to smoking cigarettes, there are still numerous negative effects associated with vaping, particularly concerning the mouth.
A smoker is more likely to suffer gum disease, loose teeth, have complications after tooth extraction and endodontic emergency treatment, or develop mouth cancer. There is a much higher likelihood that smokers will develop infections, and their wounds will not heal as well as non-smokers.
In the following section, we’ll comprehensively examine the impacts of smoking and vaping on oral health.
Effect of Smoking & Vaping on Oral Health
Effects of Smoking
Tobacco products like cigarettes contain tar, nicotine, and harmful chemicals, which can promote bad oral health and worsen overall health. When you smoke, your teeth and mouth are immediately exposed to these harmful substances. The chemical compounds in cigarettes cause your teeth to be yellow first. Therefore, smoking is much more damaging to your mouth and teeth than your lungs and respiratory system.
Weaker teeth are more susceptible to cavities as they cannot resist bacteria that contaminate your mouth. The bacteria can deteriorate your teeth and cause them to decay and eventually rot. They will then erode your enamel. Additionally, weak enamel can lead to tooth sensitivity because of exposed nerve endings that can increase the sensitivity to hot and cold. These are only a few of the ways that smoking can damage your oral health.
The effect of smoking cigarettes is visible when you have bad breath and a greater chance of developing gum disease. There are a number of reasons for this. Over time, a buildup of bacteria on your teeth will irritate and irritate your gums. This can lead to receding gum lines and severe gum disease. Without treatment, the gums can recede, and the teeth can fall out.
Further, research has demonstrated that smoking is directly associated with a slower wound healing rate after surgery. Smoking reduces the oxygen levels in your body, and wounds take a considerable amount of time to heal when you do not have adequate levels of oxygen in your body. It leaves you with open wounds and a greater danger of infection as a consequence.
If you are a smoker, you should understand that smoking can greatly affect your body’s ability to heal once you become addicted to this substance, especially if you are about to undergo surgery. It will be much easier for your body to heal if you stop smoking before surgery.
Effects of Vaping
It is now becoming an increasingly popular trend for people to choose to vape as a replacement for smoking cigarettes. Recently, it has been marketed as a healthier alternative to smoking, and the fun flavors are being advertised to attract more users.
While the health risks associated with vaping have reduced considerably, they remain. A recent study revealed that vaping does not cause tooth discoloration, plaque buildup, or bad breath associated with smoking. This means that your dental health will be preserved!
The health effects of inhaling nicotine-containing vaporizers are the same as those resulting from smoking cigarettes. Several studies have shown that nicotine can reduce the blood flow around the mouth, which helps your mouth fight bacteria. The result can be serious gum disease, including gingivitis or periodontitis in the long run.
Even though you will not have stained teeth and plaque on your teeth, you can still have some type of gum disease due to vaping. Those who do not know what gum diseases are should know that they lead to a painful infection that can cause the health of your teeth to be adversely affected. When left untreated, periodontal diseases can lead to the loss of your teeth.
Furthermore, e-cigarette vapors can cause harmful inflammatory proteins to be released into your mouth, which can disturb your gum tissue. It is also likely to cause serious disorders of the mouth.
Vaping, or electronic cigarettes, can cause just as much harm to your respiratory system as traditional cigarettes, which means they have similar side effects. According to studies, some e-cigarette flavorings can also cause cellular damage to your mouth. Additionally, electronic cigarettes may also suppress immune genes in your nasal passage in the same way as traditional cigarettes.
The bottom line is that e-cigarettes are healthier alternatives to traditional cigarettes, but they still pose serious health risks.
Taking Preventative Measures to Reduce the Risk
To protect your teeth, mouth, and gums from the detrimental effects of smoking and vaping, there is no better way than to abstain altogether.
Although it may not be possible to avoid engaging in either of these habits, there are some steps you can take to minimize the negative impact they have on your life. Some of these steps include:
- Drinking plenty of water, especially if you’ve just smoked or vaporized.
- Use a soft-bristle toothbrush twice a day to brush your teeth and fluoridated toothpaste twice a day.
Floss regularly. - Make an appointment with your family endodontic in Brussels for a professional cleaning and dental exam at least twice a year.
- Look out for white or red patches on your gums, cheeks, and tongue, and when you see any abnormalities, consult with your dentist immediately.
Although a consistent oral hygiene routine can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, it is important to note that these precautions won’t provide guaranteed protection against the negative health effects associated with smoking and vaping.
Conclusion
Vaping and smoking habits adversely affect your oral health significantly, which is why consulting a professional can help lessen the effects on your oral health.
Our team at Euro Dent offers comprehensive and general dentistry services for the entire family. Our mission is to provide patients of all ages with a positive experience by helping them maintain and restore their healthy smiles.
Get in touch with us today if you would like more information about oral hygiene or if you would like to schedule an appointment at our clinic.
