Smoking is bad for your  heart and lungs – we all know that, but did you also know that smoking affects your teeth and gums?

The ugly yellow nicotine stains on their teeth are usually the first dental side effect that smokers think of. But more worrisome is the effect that smoking has on your gums and other oral tissues.

When your dentist performs a complete oral examination one of the things he/she is looking for is signs of oral cancers. Smoking doesn’t just cause lung cancer, it can also contribute to oral cancer formation. Many people switch to smokeless tobacco products to avoid damaging their lungs but chewing tobacco is even worse when it comes to oral cancer formation.

Smokers are six times more likely to have severe gum destruction when compared to non-smokers. Treating gum disease is more difficult when the patient smokes because smoking reduces our ability to heal.  Treating  gum disease in patients who smoke is a big challenge for dentists.

Recent research has also shown that smokers have lower levels of the good kind of oral bacteria and much higher levels of the bad or disease related types of bacteria, especially the types that are linked to severe periodontal disease.

The best thing to do – quit using any type of tobacco product! Tobacco is highly addictive but their are numerous treatments that can help you stay on track. If you do use tobacco products it is important to let your dentist know. You may be scheduled for more frequent dental hygiene appointments to help keep your gums healthy. If you smoke and already have developed periodontal disease it is important to work with your dentist and hygienist to manage your disease.

Please contact the office of Dr. Mark Levy at 614-476-6696 to arrange your dental examination appointment including oral cancer screening. Conveniently located in Gahanna, Ohio we look forward to addressing your oral health care needs and giving you the beautiful smile you have always dreamed of.