The annual World No Tobacco Day campaign on May 31 is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use. Understanding the effects of smoking on your oral health is another reason why you should consider the idea to quit smoking. ‘Smoking is injurious to health’ reads every pack of cigarettes purchased from various outlets. While everyone is well aware about the negative impacts of smoking on your systemic health that is your heart and lungs, it is important to highlight how smoking affects ones oral health that is, one’s smile and wellbeing.
Smoking can affect your oral health in several ways including bad breath [halitosis], tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, mouth sores and ulcers (canker sores), mouth cancer and even lips turning black (smoker’s melanosis).
Smoking leaves chemical compounds in your mouth that can mix with one’s saliva and cause bad breath. The mouth can become dried out due to smoking, which is in turn due to the decrease in one’s saliva production which sequentially hampers the natural cleansing action of the mouth.
Tooth staining is due to the nicotine and tar present in tobacco, which can make teeth look yellow over time – and even brown in heavy smokers. Although nicotine itself is colorless, it turns yellow when it reacts with oxygen, and is absorbed into the pores in one’s teeth, making them appear darker. The only way to correct the effects of tobacco discolouration is through seeking help from a dentist.
Smoking weakens the immune system and reduces the body’s ability to fight off infections – including gum disease. Additionally, smoking produces more bacterial plaque that can lead to gum disease, and because smoking reduces oxygen in the bloodstream, gums don’t heal as easily.
Smoking supports the build-up of bacteria, plaque and tartar which can lead to cavities and tooth loss. Tobacco can irritate the gum tissue which causes gums to loosen around the teeth, providing more room for bacteria to settle in, leading to decay.
In extreme circumstances, smokers can develop oral cancer. This is because of the exposure to harmful chemicals found in tobacco, which mutates the healthy cells in the mouth and throat. Oral cancer predominantly occurs on the tongue, floor of the mouth and gums. It starts as red or white spots which can become open sores, and treatment is usually radiation therapy or surgery. Affected tissue and part of the jawbone may have to be removed surgically, which can affect the look of the face, and the patient’s ability to chew or talk.
The chemicals in the smoke lead to discolouration and wrinkling of the lips. The change in colour leads to lips changing to a blue, black or purple hue. The wrinkles or 'Smokers Lines' also become predominantly noticeable.
The question arises whether if your oral health will get better if you quit smoking? According to the American Dental Association, quitting smoking has been shown to improve oral health in several important ways. Perhaps most importantly, one’s teeth and gums will become healthier than before. As your immune system weakens due to smoking, when you quit smoking to improve the health of your gums, it may take from few months to a year to see visible improvements.
The most effective strategy to quit smoking for good is to combine a strong will power to quit-smoking along with support from professionals trained to treat tobacco dependence. Consider joining a community stop-smoking group or starting in-person counseling. The 5 R's: Relevance, Risks, Rewards, Roadblocks, and Repetition have been designed to motivate smokers who are willing to quit. Several smokers have been noted to be unwilling to quit smoking due to misguidance, concern about the effects of quitting or demoralization because of previous unsuccessful quit attempts.
(Dr Tisha Mendes is an ex-resident dentist of Goa Dental College, Bambolim and a Margao-based dental surgeon)