It frustrates doctors and dentists to no end to encounter a young adult who has picked up the habit of tobacco use. Few things are more damaging to every aspect of your health than tobacco use: respiratory issues, cancer, gum disease, tooth loss, and death can all be directly linked to tobacco usage. Tobacco is a plant that has been used as a recreational drug for far too many years. The consequences of tobacco use limit your quality of life and cause irreversible damage and disease.
The two specific and detrimental conditions that affect your oral health are periodontal disease and oral cancer. Of course, these are in addition to stained teeth, bad breath, and wrinkles – none of which are positive results from tobacco use.
Gum disease in its earliest form is known as gingivitis. This early stage of gum disease causes tender, red, swollen gums; it is reversible with habit changes and proper oral care. Yet, if allowed to progress, gingivitis will develop into periodontal disease, which is a severe form of irreversible gum disease. All teeth are securely stabilized by the jaw bone and gum tissues. When the gums are weakened, they lose the ability to hold the teeth in place. Tobacco use causes the oral tissues to become irritated, vulnerable to infection, and the inability to protect the teeth. Once severe infection affects the gums, the teeth will begin to die and fall out – requiring extensive and expensive dental repair. Tobacco use is a leading cause of periodontal disease.
Oral cancer is another detrimental disease that is directly caused by tobacco use. Cancer, in any form, is a scary diagnosis because of its high death rate. Oral cancer is a type of cancer with an exceptionally high death rate: 43% within 5 years of diagnosis. Tobacco kills the antibodies inside the mouth that fight off infection. Without these immune-fighting agents, the mouth is left vulnerable to bacterial infection and susceptible to disease.
The use of tobacco is a real drag on your oral health. Whether you smoke, dip, or chew, tobacco will leave its nasty mark on your smile. At Clover Smile Studio, we want to be your advocate for quitting tobacco. Together we can overcome the damage that tobacco has caused to your oral health and set you up for a brighter and healthier future. Call us today.
Posted on behalf of Clover Smile Studio