Top 10 ways Smoking and Vaping Negatively Impacts your Oral Health

There is no denying that smoking and vaping are two habits that can have a significant impact on oral health. They are not only bad for your lungs but also for your oral health. Both can cause a range of negative effects on the teeth, gums, and overall health. In this blog, we’ll explore the top 10 ways smoking and vaping can impact oral health.

1. Staining and discolouration of the Teeth: Smoking and vaping can cause significant staining of the teeth, leading to yellow or brown discolouration. This can be difficult to remove with regular brushing or whitening treatments.
2. Bad Breath: This is the most common impact smoking has on your breath. Both smoking and vaping can cause bad breath, which can be unpleasant and embarrassing.
3. Dry Mouth: Vaping can cause dry mouth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
4. Gum Disease: Smoking and vaping are major risk factors for gum disease, which can cause redness, inflammation, and bleeding of the gums. In severe cases, gum disease can lead to tooth loss.
5. Tooth Loss: Smoking and vaping for an elongated period of time can also increase the risk of tooth loss, as they can damage the bone and tissue that support the teeth.
6. Delayed Healing: Smoking negatively impacts the immune system and smokers generally experience delayed healing after dental procedures, such as extractions or implants.
7. Oral Cancer: There is evidence to suggest that smoking and vaping can increase the risk of oral cancer. According to a page published by the Government of Canada called Smoking and Oral Cancer, “risk of oral cancer is 5 to 10 times greater among smokers compared to non-smokers“.
8. Tooth Decay:  Smoking and vaping can also increase the risk of tooth decay and they can damage the enamel on the teeth.
9. Reduced Sense of Taste and Smell: Smoking and vaping can reduce the sense of taste and smell, making it more difficult to enjoy food and drinks.
10. Nicotine Addiction: Vaping products often contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and can lead to a host of health problems, including oral health problems.

It’s clear that smoking and vaping can have a significant impact on oral health. If you are a smoker or vaper, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect your oral health. This may include quitting smoking or vaping or taking extra steps to maintain good oral hygiene and visiting your dentist regularly. By taking care of your teeth and gums, you can help prevent these and other oral health problems, and enjoy a healthy, beautiful smile for years to come.

You can always start with Teeth Cleaning as a first step to improving your oral health. Feel free to Contact Us for any of your dentistry needs.