Smoking: A Real Drag On Your Health

When it comes to smoking, it is no secret that this habit is the cause of a myriad of negative effects on your health. Smokers and tobacco users are more likely to be affected by a wide range of diseases than those who do not use any type of tobacco. While many people associate lung cancer with smoking, there are oral health concerns that pose significant risks as well.

Periodontal disease and oral cancer are two extremely dangerous conditions that can be directly related to smoking and tobacco use. Both of these have the ability to not only destroy your oral health, but they also pose a significant risk to your overall health.

Periodontal disease is severe and irreversible gum disease that affects the gum tissues that surround and support the teeth. Gingivitis is the very first stage of gum disease, and at this stage it is still treatable and reversible. However, smoking inhibits the gums’ immunity, and gums that are affected by gingivitis can quickly lose their chance for recovery. Once periodontal disease sets in, the gums will be so severely damaged that the teeth will become loose, the mouth will require extensive treatment, and the likelihood that the teeth will fall out is very high. Smoking causes irreversible damage, and it is one of the leading causes of periodontal disease.

Oral cancer is another direct result of smoking and tobacco use. With every swig of a cigarette or every wad of chewing tobacco, a reaction occurs inside the mouth. The soft tissues inside the mouth become irritate and weakened from their immune fighting capabilities. With a weakened immunity mixed with the damage that tobacco causes, oral cancer becomes very prominent among tobacco users. The rest of the body is also vulnerable because the tissues inside the mouth are living tissues – with direct blood supplies that travel throughout the body. An infection inside the mouth can easily spread throughout the body, affecting all major organs and your life.

Smoking and the use of tobacco products are a real drag on your health. At Green Dental of Alexandria, we want to partner with you to obtain a healthy mouth and a healthy life. We are more than happy to help you break the habit and to restore the health of your mouth. Contact our dental practice today to schedule an appointment with our dentist regarding how to stop smoking, stop tobacco use, and regain your health.