As you might imagine tobacco use can be just as harmful to your oral health as it is your circulatory system and the rest of your body.
On a cosmetic level, tobacco products cause deep stains on your teeth. It can also lead to pervasive and chronic bad breath. Trying to mitigate your bad breath with lozenges and hard candy adds unnecessary sugar to your mouth, which can lead to tooth decay and even gum disease!
Tobacco products easily irritate gum tissue, which increases the chance of infection. This also increases healing and recovery time after dental procedures.
Regular tobacco use has also been related to at least eight major forms of oral cancer. The longer and heavier a person uses tobacco the more likely they are to develop oral cancer. Oral cancer also tends to occur at an earlier age in tobacco users.
Tobacco cessation can be a serious challenge but it is much easier than coping with the health risks associated with continued use. Talk to your doctor or oral health professional about finding the tobacco cessation program that is right for you.
If you have questions about tobacco cessation or you’re concerned that you are developing oral health problems related to your tobacco use, please feel free to call us at [phone] to schedule an appointment. We are happy to assist you with all your oral health needs!