You’ve probably been told a million times that you should stop smoking. We’re sure you know that it’s terrible for your lungs, heart, blood flow, fertility, bone density and overall health. You’ve probably even noticed some of the effects it has on your teeth, such as yellowing.
But smoking does so much more to your mouth than just stain your teeth. Smoking causes:
- oral cancer
- inflammation of the openings to your salivary glands, especially on the roof of your mouth
- plaque to build up on your teeth
- a higher rate of dental caries
- bone loss within the jaw
- gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss
- slower healing after oral surgery
- a lower success rate of any dental implant procedures you might have
If you’ve tried to stop smoking in the past, now might be the time to try again. There are dozens of smoking cessation programs across Austin and Lakeway, and studies have proven that these type of programs give smokers a better chance at quitting for good. Additionally, there are many nicotine replacement products and prescription products that can help you quit.
At the Lakeway Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, we work to mitigate the effects that smoking has on your teeth and mouth. If you can’t bring yourself to quit smoking, try to decrease the amount that you smoke and remember to brush your teeth twice daily and floss every day.
Dental exams twice a year are incredibly important, too, because we check your mouth for signs of oral cancer, which might catch a problem area before it becomes serious. Contact the Lakeway Center for Family and Cosmetic Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.