Tobacco and healthy teeth dont mix!

Posted: 04 October 2011

Do you smoke? If you don’t, you probably know some friends or family who do. Too many young people today are getting addicted to tobacco, and the results are showing up in their mouths.

Smoking or using smokeless “chewing” tobacco can make you four times more likely of developing oral cancer (especially on the rise in women as more younger girls take up smoking) - and it’s not just something that older adults get anymore.

On top of cancer, tobacco causes:

Bad breath
Stained teeth
Bone loss
Shrinking gums
Mouth sores
Decreased senses of taste and smell
Poor healing of mouth sores
Hairy tongue
Leukoplakia

How does Tobacco affect oral health?
Tobacco contains many substances known to be cytotoxic (destructive to your body’s cells and tissues). Smokers have more calculus (hardened dental plaque) than non-smokers, and heavy smokers have more calculus than light smokers. The Nicotine in tobacco causes something called vasoconstriction (narrowing the blood vessels). Blood circulation - certainly an important thing! - has been shown to decrease by as much as 70% in your mouth during the smoking of a cigarette. Tobacco smoking, furthermore, also affects your body’s immune responses (defence system).
New studies are even showing the possibility that second-hand tobacco smoke (the smoke from someone else’s cigarette) causes periodontal disease (gum disease).

Here at Apollonia Rodney Streets award-winning dental and cosmetic centre we believe prevention is better than cure! So if you’re a smoker do you really realise the damage you are doing to you teeth and gums?

Apart from the risks of cancer you are staining and permanently discolouring your teeth, creating bad breath and not to mention smoker’s lines around your mouth and face but never fear Apollonia is here to help reverse the effects of smoking although you will not achieve longterm benefits unless you quit smoking completely.
Our award-winning female dentist Dr Melissa Goddard can offer treatment s such as Botox and fillers to soften smoker’s lines around the mouth and eyes, teeth whitening for discoloured or stained teeth. Regular hygiene appointments will help prevent bad breath and staining, and if you are concerned about mouth cancer we also offer Vizilite oral cancer screening .
So if you’re a smoker or have recently given up and would like to know how Apollonia dental and cosmetic centre can help you reverse the effects of smoking call or e-mail us today to book your FREE consultation- we’d love to hear from you!
0151 709 9146
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