SAB DHUA DHUA HAI

We are all aware of how smoking affects our lungs, heart causing lung cancer, heart stroke etc.

But smoking has adverse effects on our teeth, gums and other parts of the oral cavity is not a very well known fact.

TOBACCO is available in the form of cigarette, cigar,pipes, chewing tobacco and smokeless tobacco. Tobacco smoke has harmful chemicals and gases like n2, co2, particles like nicotine and tar which have adverse effects on gums and teeth.

75 % OF ALL ORAL CANCER IS CAUSED BY TOBACCO.

Effects of tobacco on oral cavity

• Stains on teeth surface – smoking causes staining and discolouration of teeth .

• Halitosis or bad breath is caused by smoking. It is because tar and nicotine settle in your mouth leading to this bad breath or ‘smoker’s breath’.
• Smoking interferes with normal functioning of gum tissue cells. Hence a smoker is 2.6 to 6 times more suseptible  to gum diseases than a non smoker.
• Studies have shown that smokers show greater chances of pocket formation between teeth and gums, greater loss of attachment between teeth and gums, greater amount of bone loss (imagw)

• Risk of tooth loss in a smoker is twice as compared to a non smoker.
• Smoking has a negative effect on periodontal surgeries (i.e. surgeries of gum and supporting structures of teeth ). In a smoker it is difficult to suppress certain bacteria responsible for periodontitis.
• Nicotine has shown decreased flow of blood in gums. Wound healing is adversely affected by exposure to tobacco and nicotine. 

• Smoking decreases the blood flow to the gums and hence dental implants are not recommended in smokers.
• Smoking reduces the flow of saliva in the mouth. Saliva plays a major role in neutrilising the acids that cause decay of teeth. Because saliva flow is diminished chances of decay increases.
• Even the number of cigarette and duration of smoking plays an important in the extant of harm caused to the oral cavity
•  Smokeless tobacco  (snuff or chewing tobacco )causes cancer of cheek , gums and lips. 

• Smokeless tobacco and pipe smoking also causes abrasion of teeth.

Pre cancerous and cancerous lesions caused by smoking

• Leukoplakia

• Smokers palate

• Black hairy tongue

• Smokers melanosis
• Nicotine stomatitis
• Oral sub mucous fibrosis
• Squamous cell carcinoma

• Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis.

AXE THE MONSTER

• QUIT THE HABIT (because it does no good to you and your body)
• Quitting the habit will significantly improve your oral health.
• Quitting becomes very difficult for a chronic smoker because tobacco is psychologically addictive . patient has to be highly motivated for quitting this habit.
• During the withdrawal phase the person feels irritated, restless, there is always a craving for nicotine.
• Visit your dentist regularly.
• Get scaling and polishing done every 6 months
• Bleaching or tooth whitening can be done if u have quit the habit completely
• The dentist will check your teeth, gums, tongue, cheek .if your dentist finds anything suspicious he /she will recommend required tests.
• Consult your dentist for nicotine replacement therapy like nicotine chewing gums , nicotine patches and lozenges to relieve withdrawal symptoms.
• Various nicotine cessation programs are held that will help you quit your habit.
• Consult  your dentist for knowledge about these tobacco cessation programs.