Most people are aware of the damage smoking does to the lungs, but have you ever stopped to think of the impact smoking has on your teeth and gums?

Discolouration

One of the first things you will notice if you smoke is that your teeth look yellow or even brown. Smoking stains the teeth, causing them to lose their natural whiteness and this can have a significant effect on the aesthetic appeal of your smile. Stained teeth can make you look older, as well as making your teeth look less healthy. Whitening treatments from London dentists can help to brighten and lighten your smile, but if you continue to smoke, your teeth will soon become discoloured again.

Slow healing

If you smoke, this slows down the body’s natural healing process and you will find that it takes longer for your gums to heal if you have treatment, because smoking slows the blood supply to the gums. Some treatments are not recommended for people who smoke, so your choice of treatments may also be limited.

Gum disease

Smoking increases your risk of developing gum disease, as it disrupts the normal function of tissue cells in the gum and also weakens the connection between bone and soft tissue. If the gum tissue cells cannot function properly, this increases the risk of infections, including periodontal disease, which can cause the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. If periodontal disease is left to progress, it can be very difficult to treat and you will need intensive treatment sessions, which may take place over a long period of time.

Bad breath

Bad breath is one of the most noticeable side-effects of smoking. The odour of smoke lingers in the mouth for long periods of time, which can be unpleasant for the individual, as well as the people around them. Bad breath consistently comes out as one of the biggest turn-offs in polls and surveys.

Bone loss

Smoking can increase bone loss, which occurs when the bone tissue becomes thinner in the jaw and can lead to the teeth coming loose and even falling out.