If you have healthy gums, well, you may kiss them goodbye. Kiss them goodbye that is, if you smoke, says the American Dental Association (ADA).
Smoking may cause nearly 75 percent of periodontitis in adults.
Smoking and using any tobacco product damages your gums. It affects the bones and soft tissues in your mouth where they attach to your teeth. If you smoke, you are more likely to have receding gums. This condition exposes the roots of your teeth, making your teeth more sensitive to hot and cold, and increases your risk for tooth decay. Smoking also makes tartar build up more quickly on your teeth.
Smoking affects the blood vessels throughout your body, raising your risk for heart disease and stroke. In your mouth, it delays healing after you have a tooth extracted or have oral surgery.
Using tobacco products also increases your risk for oral cancer. These are signs and symptoms that may indicate oral cancer, according to the ADA:
- A sore or tenderness in the mouth that doesn’t get better
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness in the mouth or on the lips
- A lump or leathery patch inside your mouth, or color changes in your oral tissues (gray, red, or white patches, rather than a healthy pink color)
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, or speaking
- Changes in the way your teeth fit together
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, contact Johnson Family Dentistry.
About Johnson Family Dentistry – Orlando, FL
At Johnson Family Dentistry, we are a dental practice devoted to restoring and enhancing the natural beauty of your smile using conservative, state-of-the-art procedures that will result in beautiful, long, lasting smiles. We are conveniently located next to Publix Super Market in The Shoppes at Eastwood. Contact us Today at (407) 282-0002.
Our Services include the following; Bonding, Crowns & Bridgework, Dental Implants, Fillings, General and Cosmetic Dentistry, Oral Cancer Screenings, Periodontal (Gum) Disease Therapy, Porcelain Veneers, Professional Teeth Cleanings, Removable Dentures, Root Canal Treatment, Sealants, Teeth Whitening, TMJ/TMD Treatment, and Tooth Extractions.
