Smoking is bad for you. Everyone has seen the ads before. But just how much does smoking affect a person’s health? Well, when it comes to your oral health, smoking can lead to a number of dental problems, including: bad breath, tooth discoloration, increased plaque buildup, loss of bone within the jaw, oral cancer, leukoplakia, gum disease, and more!
Smoking, Tobacco, and Oral Health Statistics
- Smokers are four times more likely to develop oral conditions than people who have never used tobacco products.
- Smokers are twice as likely to develop oral health problems as those who have kicked the habit.
- 97.5% of patients with leukoplakia who quit using tobacco products see their symptoms disappear within six weeks.
- About 90% of people with cancer of the mouth, lips, tongue, and throat use tobacco products.
- 37% of individuals who continue using tobacco products after their cancer is cured develop second cancers.
- Only 6% of those who quit using tobacco products after their cancer is cured develop second cancers.
“The evidence for an association between tobacco use and oral diseases has been clearly shown in every Surgeon General’s report on tobacco since 1964,” according to the report Smoking and Oral Health in Dentate Adults Aged 18-64. “Tobacco use is a risk factor for oral cancers, periodontal diseases and dental caries, among other diseases. Oral health problems may be early warning signs of other medical problems such as diabetes, HIV, heart disease or stroke. Good oral health is integral to good general health.”
If you have any questions about Smoking and Oral Health, or if you wish to schedule an appointment, please contact Annapolis Dental Care by calling (410) 267-0766 or visit AnnapolisDentalCare.com today!
Dr. Steckler’s philosophy is to give patients individualized attention and to make their experiences as comfortable as possible.
You can also follow Annapolis Dental Care on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.
Source: Smoking and Oral Health WebMD