Smoking, a habit deeply ingrained in human culture for thousands of years, and vaping, a more recent trend, are both significant contributors to the deterioration of oral health. Despite the increasing awareness of the long-term dangers of smoking, such as emphysema and cancer, the impact on oral health is often overlooked. This month’s blog takes a closer look at these habits and their detrimental effects on your smile, teeth, and oral health.

What Smoking Does to Your Smile

Traditional cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco products are packed with harmful chemicals that wreak havoc on the mouth. The most well-known consequence is an increased risk of gum disease, specifically periodontitis. This is because smoking weakens the immune system, which makes it harder for the body to fight off the bacteria that are naturally found in the mouth, which can lead to:

Persistent bad breath
Stained teeth: The tar and nicotine found in tobacco products cause yellow and brown stains on teeth that are difficult to remove.
Delayed healing: Smoking impairs blood flow, which is crucial not only after dental procedures but also after any surgical procedure or injury.
Increased risk of oral cancer: According to Johns Hopkins, smokers are ten times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers.
Bone loss: Severe gum disease can lead to bone loss in the mouth. Bones are necessary to support teeth, and without bone, tooth loss occurs.
Reduced sense of taste and smell: Smoking can dull taste buds, affecting the sense of smell.

Smokeless and Even Tobaccoless Don’t Mean Harmless

Don’t be fooled by the name! Smokeless products – even those touted as a safer alternative to smoking come with health risks. Chewing tobacco and snuff are far from safe, and the popular nicotine pouches like Zyn, while free from tobacco, can still cause damage to the mouth and gums. Let’s break it down piece by piece.

Chewing tobacco:

Significantly increases one’s risk of developing oral cancer. In some cases, this risk can even be higher than when smoking. Think about it, tobacco laden with chemicals is placed in the mouth against the gum and cheek for extended periods. What good can come from that?
Can cause gums to recede. Placing tobacco against the gums can cause them to recede or pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots and making them sensitive. Say goodbye to ice cream.
Can cause a condition called leukoplakia, which are precancerous white or gray patches inside the mouth where the tobacco is placed.
Causes tooth decay, stained teeth, and bad breath.

Nicotine pouches can lead to inflammation, redness, ulcers, and swelling of the gums. Similar to chewing tobacco, this habit can lead to gum recession, tooth sensitivity, cavities, and tooth loss. It restricts blood flow to the gums, which can lead to gum disease. Plus, these pouches are addictive and sadly, becoming popular among not only adults, but kids too. Some research has shown that the amount of nicotine is more than what is prescribed to people trying to quit smoking. How is this helping anyone, especially someone who has never smoked?

Vaping Isn’t Any Better

E-cigarettes and vaping devices are widely marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. And while most research has focused on the damage to the heart and lungs, the vapor can also harm oral health. Think about it: e-cigarette vapor contains dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and diethylene glycol, which is used in antifreeze. These chemicals have no business in your body and increase the risk of oral cancer.

A study published in iScience showed that 43% of people using e-cigarettes had gum disease and oral infections. Studies have shown that these devices can disrupt the oral microbiome, a complex ecosystem of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health. This microbiome is critical for supporting the immune system, transporting oxygen to the gums, and remineralizing tooth enamel. Without it, you get inflammation and eventually, disease.

But that’s not all. Vaping reduces saliva production. If you’ve read our other blogs, you should be aware of the importance of saliva in preventing cavities and gum disease. E-cigarettes – even without tobacco – can irritate the delicate tissues of the mouth.

The good news is that all this scary stuff doesn’t have to be YOUR reality. Most of the problems we’ve mentioned go away when you quit. Your smile is a window into your soul. Let it shine brightly and not be dulled by stinky cigarettes, tobacco sludge, or vapor. By scheduling regular dental cleanings and exams, you can give yourself a leg up on combating the damage from tobacco and tobacco-less products, and our team is here to help you every step of the way.