Smoking affects more than your lungs—it has a serious impact on your oral health. From persistent bad breath to stained teeth and gum problems, tobacco use can lead to long-term damage. For many smokers, the most serious risks include gum disease and tooth loss.
Understanding how smoking contributes to these issues can help you make informed choices about your dental care. If you live in Burnaby, it’s worth talking to your dentist about the specific risks and how to protect your teeth and gums.
How Smoking Affects Your Gums
Your gums rely on good blood flow to stay healthy. Nicotine in tobacco restricts blood vessels and reduces oxygen in the bloodstream. This limits your body’s ability to heal and fight infection. Over time, this creates the ideal environment for gum disease to develop.
Smokers often miss the early signs of gum disease. That’s because smoking masks common symptoms like bleeding gums. Without obvious warning signs, the condition can progress unnoticed until it becomes advanced and harder to treat.
The Link Between Smoking and Tooth Loss
Tooth loss doesn’t happen overnight. It’s usually the result of untreated gum disease that damages the tissues and bone supporting your teeth. Smokers are up to twice as likely to develop severe gum disease compared to non-smokers.
When the gums pull away from the teeth, pockets form. These pockets collect bacteria, leading to infection and bone loss. If not treated, the affected teeth loosen and eventually fall out or need to be removed. Many smokers who skip regular checkups don’t realize their teeth are at risk until it’s too late.
Other Oral Health Risks of Smoking
In addition to gum disease and tooth loss, smoking can lead to several other oral health issues:
- Delayed healing after dental surgery or extractions
- Higher risk of oral cancer
- Dry mouth, which increases cavity risk
- Stained teeth and persistent bad breath
These effects not only compromise your oral health but also make it harder to receive certain dental treatments like implants or gum grafts.
Why Regular Dental Visits Matter
If you smoke, regular dental checkups are essential. Your dentist can detect early signs of gum disease and create a treatment plan before damage becomes irreversible. Professional cleanings can remove plaque and tartar that build up more quickly in smokers.
A dentist may also recommend additional care such as antibacterial rinses, deep cleanings, or gum therapy. Early intervention helps you keep your teeth longer—even if you continue smoking.
Contact Us
At Dentists at Metrotown, we understand the unique challenges that smokers face when it comes to oral health. Our team provides compassionate, professional care to help manage and prevent the effects of smoking and gum disease.
If you’re a smoker in Burnaby BC, schedule a checkup today. We’ll evaluate your gum health, discuss prevention strategies, and work with you to reduce the risk of tooth loss from smoking.
Book your appointment now with a trusted dentist in Burnaby BC and take the next step toward healthier gums and teeth.