5 Reasons Quitting Smoking is Great for Your Smile

We don’t need to lecture you. It’s obvious that quitting smoking will improve your health. You’re an adult, after all. You know smoking is bad for you. It obviously increases your risk of cancer and can greatly diminish your lifespan. But did you know that smoking is terrible for your smile as well? In fact, smoking can cause gum disease and even tooth decay. Quitting smoking is not only good for your health, but your teeth, gums and smile as well.

Here are 5 reasons quitting smoking may just be the secret to improving dental health and having a beautiful smile.

Improve Cases of Periodontal Disease

It’s wrong to assume that just because you’ve smoked for a number of years that it’s too late. In fact, studies showed that people who quit experienced significant improvements in gum disease conditions, just one year after quitting.

Smoking ravages the gums. By quitting, you allow your gums to heal. This can reduce your risk of tooth loss. It can also help you avoid a gummy smile.

Improve Your Mouth’s Ability to Heal

Smoking slows your body’s ability to heal following an injury or oral surgery like tooth extraction. When you quit smoking, your body’s natural healing abilities begin to recover. This can help in restoring your teeth back to great health.

Limit Tooth Infection

Smokers experience twice the rate of tooth infection compared to nonsmokers. You are literally poisoning your teeth! When you stop, you limit your mouth’s exposure to harmful bacteria. Infection is the number one cause of gum disease, cavities, plaque, and other dental problems.

Increase Saliva Production

Smoking disrupts your saliva production. It inflames the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth so your mouth is dryer. Saliva provides a natural cleaning that cleans the teeth and washes away bacteria. When you quit smoking, your gums are inflamed and can produce a healthier amount of saliva that can protect your teeth against infection, plaque, and cavities.

Limit Risk of Cancer

The risk of cancer is very real if you smoke or use tobacco products. In fact, 9 out of 10 people who have oral cancer used tobacco, according to the American Cancer Society. Smokers are 6 times more likely to end up with cancer.

It’s Never Too Late

No matter how long you’ve smoked or used other tobacco products, quitting will significantly reduce your risk for gum disease, cancer, and tooth loss. In fact, even just cutting back can have significant effects.

From nicotine patches to cessation medication, there are numerous resources available to help. Talk to your Cincinnati dentist and local doctor.