Most people are aware of the dangers posed by tobacco, to the circulatory and respiratory system. At the same time, tar, nicotine and the other chemicals in tobacco also poses a very serious threat to your oral health.
On a cosmetic level tobacco deeply stains teeth and causes chronic bad breath. Masking bad breath with lozenges or hard candy adds unnecessary sugar in your mouth, promoting tooth decay and gum disease.
Tobacco use also increases healing time and the risk of infection after certain dental procedures.
Regular tobacco use has also been found to be a major factor in at least eight major types of oral cancer. Oral cancer also tends to occur earlier and with greater complications in tobacco users.
While tobacco cessation is a serious challenge, it is a small price to pay compared to the health risks associated with continued use. Talk to your physician or dental professional about finding the tobacco cessation program that is right for you.
If you have questions about tobacco cessation or you’re concerned that you are developing oral health problems related to your tobacco use, please feel free to call us at 480-719-7941 to schedule an appointment.