It goes without saying that smoking is bad for your overall health. Your oral health is not an exception!
Smoking alters your immune system leading to gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis), halitosis (bad breath), stained teeth and tongue, tooth loss, oral cancer, impaired sense of taste, dental implant complications, and higher risks of complications after dental surgeries.
Various forms of tobacco including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vapes, chewing tobacco, hookah, and second-hand smoking are detrimental to your health.
According to American Academy of Periodontology, periodontal disease is higher in men than women (56.4 percent vs. 38.4 percent) and highest in Mexican-Americans (66.7 percent). Higher prevalence found in current smokers (64.2 percent).
Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of illness and death. Many smokers find it difficult to stop, a fact that is confirmed by the staggering rate of relapse. Given the fact that cigarette smoking is a learned behavior that is reinforced over time, it makes sense that to be successful in quitting, you must “unlearn” this behavior.
If you're middle aged or older, a moderate to heavy drinker or a long-time tobacco user, you have a greater chance of developing oral cancer.
Quitting smoking reduces the gum disease risk significantly. It also helps the healing after surgical or non-surgical periodontal therapy.
Don’t forget that straight teeth and a pretty smile does not necessarily mean you have a healthy mouth.