Tobacco use in
smoked and smokeless forms has countless negative impacts on oral
health. Smoking and smokeless
tobacco have been associated with periodontal disease, caries, tooth loss, oral
soft tissue changes, dental implant failure, peri-implant disease, and
oropharyngeal cancer. Studies have shown
that smokers are three to six times more likely to suffer from advanced gum
disease than non-smokers. Tobacco use
also causes oral infection, cracked or chipped teeth.
Tobacco is a Threat to Oral Health
Tobacco’s
greatest threat to your oral health may be its association
with oral cancer. The American Cancer
Society reports the followings:
·
About
90% of people with oral cancer and some types of throat cancer have used
tobacco.
·
Smokers
are 6 times more likely than non-smokers to develop oral cancer.
·
About
37% of people who continue to smoke after cancer treatment will develop second
cancers of the mouth, throat or larynx.
·
Smokeless
tobacco has been linked to cancers of the cheeks, gums and inner surface of the
lips. Smokeless tobacco increases the
risk of these cancers by nearly 50 times.
The
negative impacts of (smoking/smokeless) tobacco on Oral Health
·
Smoking
and Tooth Loss-studies from the
American College of Prosthodontists have reported correlations with smoking and
tooth loss. Smokers have greater risk of
tooth loss.
·
Smoking
and Periodontal Disease-“studies
have found that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in the
development of periodontal disease,” says David Albert, D.D.S., an associate
professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
-smokers
have more calculus (tartar) than nonsmokers.
This may be the result of decreased flow of saliva.
-smokers
have more severe bone loss and deep pockets between their teeth and gums than
nonsmokers.
-smokers
are 3 to 6 times more likely to have gum destruction than nonsmokers.
·
Smoking
and Oral soft tissue changes
-leukoplakia is a white or
gray patch that develops on the tongue, the inside of the cheek, or on the floor of the mouth.
-chronic smoking may be a
cause of leukoplakia
-leukoplakia is
potentially premalignant. Patient should
be referred for appropriate medical care for possible oral cancer.
·
Smoking,
Dental Implant Failure and Peri-implant Disease (inflammation of
soft tissues surrounding the implant)
-smoking
compromises healing time after oral surgery.
-smoking
increases the risk of implant failure and post-operative infections. Tobacco
reduces the body’s ability to fight oral infection.
-studies
from the American College of Prosthodontists reported correlations with smoking
and peri-implant disease (peri-implantitis).
·
Smokeless
tobacco causes gum recession and cavities
-tobacco
irritates gum tissue and causes gum recessions.
-gum
tissue recedes and root of the teeth is exposed and increases the risk for
tooth decay.
-sugar
is added to smokeless tobacco and enhances its flavor; sugar increases the risk
for tooth decay.
·
Smoking
and Oral Cancer is usually found on
the floor of the mouth, the ventrolateral surface of the tongue and the soft
palate. Heavy tobacco users have a 5 to 25 times greater risk of oral cavity
and oropharynx cancer.
Tobacco
use increases the risk of oral cancer
According to the
American Dental Association (ADA), these are some of the signs & symptoms of oral cancer:
·
A
sore or tenderness in the mouth that does not heal or get better
·
Pain,
tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
·
A
lump or leathery patch inside your mouth, or color changes in your oral tissues
(gray, red, or white patches)
·
Difficulty
chewing, swallowing, or speaking
·
Changes
in the way your teeth fit together
Tobacco
use increases the risk of Periodontal Disease
Here are some of
the signs and symptoms of Periodontal Disease:
·
Red,
swollen, or tender gums
·
Gums
that easily bleed
·
Gums
pulling away from the teeth
·
Teeth
are loose or separating
·
Chronic
bad breath
Smoking
causes Dental and Oral Health
problems
·
Bad
breath
·
Tooth
discoloration/Stained teeth
·
Inflammation
of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth
·
Increases
buildup of plaque and calculus (tartar) on the teeth
·
Increases
loss of bone with the jaw
·
Increases
risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth
·
Increases
risk of developing gum disease and leading to tooth loss
·
Delays
healing process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, and oral
surgery
·
Lowers
success rate of dental implant procedures
·
Increases
risk of developing oral cancer
Here are some quitting tips from the
American Cancer Society (ACS):
·
Set
a quit date. Make a quitting plan.
·
Get
support and turn to family, friends and coworkers for support.
·
Join
a support group. Call ACS AT 800-227-2345 for a list of support groups.
·
Join
a stop-smoking program.
Smoking and
smokeless tobacco elevate risks for oral cancer, dental and oral
health problems. If you notice any of the signs and symptoms of
periodontal disease and oral cancer, schedule a dental consultation with Dr.
Anna Lee for a thorough evaluation. Contact us at 626-335-5114 or email at drannalee1@gmail.com