The bubbly sweetness of a cold soda pop is hard to resist, especially with a burger or a slice of pizza. But on the health-and-nutrition scoreboard, soda has so many strikes against it that it’s hard to justify more than the occasional splurge.
While the current percentage of Americans who smoke cigarettes is the lowest it’s been in decades, those who continue the habit remain at risk for heart and lung disease. Additionally, while we know smoking is also bad for our oral health, most don’t understand just how bad it is...
More Than Just Stained Teeth
From its seemingly mild side effects (bad breath, tooth discoloration, a buildup of plaque and tartar), to the more sinister (increased risk of oral cancer, loss of bone within the jaw, gum disease and any number of resulting complications) – tobacco is indeed an oral health risk.Tobacco can cause serious health issues by breaking down the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth. Because of this breakdown, the use of tobacco makes smokers much more susceptible to infection and diseases. In fact, 90% of people who have cancer of the mouth, throat, or gums admit to using tobacco in some form.
Cigarettes, cigars, and pipes aren’t the only culprits; smokeless tobacco can be just as detrimental to oral health, if not worse. In fact, there are twenty-eight chemicals found in chewing tobacco alone that are proven to increase the risk of cancer in the mouth, throat, and esophagus.Chewing tobacco and snu contain higher levels of nicotine than those found in cigarettes and other tobacco products, making it exposes the roots, and ultimately makes teeth more susceptible to decay.
Help is Just Next Door
The only way to help eliminate these risks is to never start using tobacco products, or to quit if you do. In fact, simply reducing tobacco use is proven to help lower your risks. If you feel that it is time to reduce your risk of cancer, gum disease, infection and other oral complications, your dentist or doctor can help you create a plan to help you quit using tobacco, along with prescribing certain medicines or programs to help you kick the habit. Remember, it is never too late to quit. If you’re interested in getting help to quit, let us know the next time you’re in for an appointment.
Call (818) 805 - 2251 or book online today if you are concerned about the effects that tobacco use is having on your oral health. Dr. Hambarchian is here to help!
You Might Also Enjoy...
The bubbly sweetness of a cold soda pop is hard to resist, especially with a burger or a slice of pizza. But on the health-and-nutrition scoreboard, soda has so many strikes against it that it’s hard to justify more than the occasional splurge.
Understanding how a cavity progresses can assist you in preventing each successive stage from occurring in your children
When you have a cracked tooth, it is best to get immediate dental care. Get it checked out soon to lessen the damage.
What is a plaque? Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria that live on the surface of your teeth. Without proper treatment, you run the risk of tooth decay which would lead to more problems in the future.
Find out the effects of sugar, acid, and coloring in a soda on your teeth
Apples are really good for your teeth. You still need to make sure you brush and floss after eating an apple since apples are acidic and also contain sugar.