Smoking and oral health

Most people associate poor oral health with a diet laden with sugary foods and fizzy drinks or poor oral hygiene. However, smoking can also be a major contributor to oral health conditions. It is estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of the global population smoke. In developed countries, the number of smokers is decreasing steadily year by year but smoking is becoming more common in developing countries.

Smoking affects almost every organ and system in the body. It is linked to an increased risk of several different diseases and health conditions, from respiratory conditions to cancer and an increased risk of heart disease and strokes. Smoking also affects fertility.

How does smoking affect oral health?

Most people are aware that smoking has a detrimental effect on health, though the link between smoking and oral health problems is less well-documented. Smoking can increase the risk of decay and gum disease, as it increases the amount of bacteria present in the mouth and makes smokers vulnerable to oral health problems. Smoking also decreases the amount of oxygen in the blood supply, which means that the gums take longer to heal if they have become infected or inflamed. Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.

Smoking also affects the appearance of the teeth. Smokers often develop stains on the teeth and the teeth lose their natural whiteness and brightness. Over the course of time, the teeth may become heavily stained and look brown in appearance. Many people consider their smile their most important feature, and if their teeth are brown and stained, this may affect their confidence and make them reluctant to show off their teeth in public. There are ways of brightening the teeth and reducing the appearance of stains and whitening treatments have become very popular in recent years. However, if you carry on smoking, the teeth will gradually become stained again.

Oral cancer

As well as increasing the risk of gum disease, smoking is also a major risk factor for oral cancer, a disease which is becoming increasingly prevalent. Oral cancer kills more people than cervical and testicular cancer, yet many people are still unaware of the disease as it does not have a high media profile. According to Cancer Research UK, research shows that smokers have a three-fold increased risk of developing oral cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has also confirmed that smokeless tobacco is also carcinogenic. Other risk factors for oral cancer include drinking, poor diet and exposure to the Human Papilloma Virus. According to researchers from Aberdeen University, people who smoke, drink and have a diet lacking in fruit and vegetables are twice as likely to develop oral cancer.

Stopping smoking

Giving up smoking will have almost instantaneous benefits for your health - your circulation will improve, you will find it easier to breathe, your risk of heart disease and strokes will steadily decrease, your risk of gum disease will decrease and your risk of developing cancer will also be reduced. You will also notice that your clothes, hair and breath don’t smell of smoke, your teeth appear cleaner and brighter and you’ll save a lot of money.

There are now hundreds of different programmes across the world to help people give up smoking; some are local programmes, while others are national campaigns. Some people prefer to go it alone, while others benefit from the support of counsellors or other people in a similar situation. There are also nicotine replacement therapies, such as chewing gum, patches and plastic cigarettes, which can help to reduce cravings.

Bio: Richard is a freelance writer who enjoys spreading the word of good health and general wellbeing. He has written on oral health, gum treatments and eco living. Visit him at @thefreshhealth.