Harm of tobacco in the oral cavity

In the habit of smoking, The first place where this drug comes into contact with our body is the mouth. Therefore, its manifestations in it will be more than evident. Tobacco causes numerous damages at the level of the oral cavity.

Just by observing the teeth of any patient, A professional is able to distinguish with the naked eye whether he is a smoker or not. Therefore, one of its main objectives will be to prevent or reduce, to the extent possible, the smoking habits of its patients.

Oral manifestations in smokers

Oral manifestations in smoking patients may vary from one to another. But nevertheless, in general there are certain alterations that, beyond the aesthetic, compromise health. Next, we detail the most important.

• Stains and stains on the surface of the teeth.
• Wrinkles on the skin.
• Bad breath.
• Decreased taste capacity.
• Delayed wound healing.
• Increased risk of periodontitis and gingivitis.
• Problems in the osseointegration of dental implants.
• Exponentially increases the risk of oral cancer. This risk decreases markedly after 5 or 10 years after quitting smoking. The proven synergistic effect between the
  give up the smoking habit.
• Increased risk of presenting oral candidiasis.
• Stains on cheeks, gums and palate.
• Alterations in the composition and in the amount of saliva that is produced.

1. Dental aesthetics

Tobacco use can cause stains on the teeth and brown spots on the gums.

In most smokers we find stains on the teeth, prostheses and restorations yellowish and brownish. These stains can be removed with ultrasonic cleaning. We also found little aesthetic spots on the brown gums.

2. Smell and taste

In smokers, both the sense of smell and taste dissipate through tobacco. A smoker needs up to 12 or 14 times more salt in a food to identify it as salty.

3. Wound healing

There are studies, such as one that was published in the Journal of Wound Ostomy & Continence Nursing, what They directly relate the consumption of tobacco with the delay in wound healing, greater post-operative pain and increased risk of infections. This is because tobacco produces a vasoconstriction, decreasing blood flow to the wound.

4. Periodontal diseases

Smoking patients have a much higher risk of periodontitis, losing more bone, increasing the depth of periodontal pockets. In addition, with more risk of losing a greater number of teeth because of it. Even if the patient is treated, the response to treatment will be worse in smokers.

You may be interested: Risks and repercussions of periodontal disease

5. Dental implants

Smoking seriously impairs success in the treatment of dental implants, both in the short term in the integration of the implant with the bone, and in the long term reducing the half-life. Those patients who quit smoking one week before implant placement and eight weeks later, have the same risk of implant failure as those non-smoking patients.

6. Oral cancer

Highly carcinogenic components have been found in tobacco. Therefore, it is not strange that it is a leading cause of oral cancer.

The relationship between tobacco and oral cancer is scientifically proven. The incidence of oral cancer is higher in men than in women. The sum of alcohol and tobacco increases this risk exponentially.

7. Melanosis of the smoker

Tobacco pigments the oral mucosa and gums, causing brown spots. The stains are not malignant and disappear approximately one year after leaving the smoking habit.

8. Effects on saliva

The saliva of smokers contains substances present in tobacco smoke, which are potentially carcinogenic as highlighted by a publication of the Journal of Dentistry. As well a higher concentration of bacteria that predispose to tooth decay, such as S. Mutans.

Read also: 7 consequences for your health of poor dental hygiene

9. Caries

There is a direct relationship between tobacco and the loss of teeth. This relationship may be due both to periodontitis, and to the increase in cariogenic bacteria in saliva, which increase the total risk of caries.

In summary…

Tobacco causes numerous damages in the oral cavity, without forgetting all those problems and pathologies that can lead to general health, such as lung cancer, pulmonary emphysema, aneurysms, heart attacks, etc.

Apart from its addictive part and the damage caused to passive smokers by smoke aspiration, it is scientifically proven that It produces an increased risk of oral cancer, oral lesions, periodontal diseases.

The best technique to avoid all these problems is the prevention, avoiding smoking and eliminating the habit of people already addicted.