Spare Your Mouth from Cigarette Smoking

Since then until now smoking is considered to be the leading cause of preventable disability, illness, and even premature death. The number of smokers around the world continue to rise as more people start to smoke at an early age. And this is despite the fact that there have been so many alterations regarding the laws in smoking, as well as the high tax that people need to pay. In addition, campaigns against smoking have been rampant, informing people about the dangers of smoking not just to their health but even to the environment. Alternatives and other options to help them quit are provided but all these things seem to be of no avail as more people still die or suffer for the rest of their lives because of smoking.

Cigarette smoking causes harmful effects to the entire body. It is in fact a known cause of emphysema, heart disease, and lung and mouth cancers. The use of tobacco products has a very negative effect on one’s oral health. Some of the effects of smoking might be obvious such as tooth discoloration, bad breath, loss of taste and smell, and can even lead to more serious periodontal problems.

Inflammation of the mouth’s lining and salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth can lead to a severe mouth sensitivity. And smokers commonly develop leukoplakia, these are white patches inside the mouth. In addition, tooth decay can be amplified because of smoking as it increases plaque build up and tartar. Tooth decay damages the teeth and gums but when smoking, there would be an increased loss of bone within the jaw. Periodontal treatments, tooth extractions, and oral surgeries are some of the most common effects of cigarette smoking on the teeth. And for those people who undergo surgery and they smoke, they delay their healing process. In some cases, there are people who are not qualified to undergo surgery because of smoking. Moreover, and perhaps the most serious effects of smoking to the mouth is the development of oral cancer which can lead to premature death and can be very painful.

The question is, how does smoking lead to gum diseases? Periodontal problems are caused by tobacco products as they interfere with the normal function of the tissue cells in the gums, which causes recession and bone detachment. And with this abnormal cell function, smokers become more susceptible to infections. And when there are infections, oftentimes, surgeries are necessary. But because of the impaired blood flow in the gums, mouth wounds do not heal properly, the reason why most smokers never become a good candidate for oral surgeries.

These smoking effects are just in the mouth. Smoking affects the entire body, both inside and out. And the only escape left there is to quit as soon as possible. Smoking gives suffering by giving different diseases and serious health conditions to a person, hindering him to live his life to the fullest. When the mouth is spared from smoking, the rest of the body would be spared as well. Thus, stop puffing that cigarette.

~ by ammygage on October 18, 2013.