5 Best Oral Care Tips for Smokers
Dr. B. Kanagasabapathy
[M.D.S. (Ortho), Fellow ICOI]
It is a widely known thing that smoking causes a number of diseases like lung diseases, heart problems, stroke whilst it can compromise the smoker’s immune system. This increases the risk of developing eye problems, tuberculosis, etc. However, the adverse effects of smoking on oral health are not discussed much.
Our oral cavity is the most negatively affected region with smoking due to the mouth’s exposure to toxins in cigarettes while smoking. So it is not a surprise that smokers develop bad breath, stains on teeth, and various dental diseases.
Do you know that the substances in cigarettes are powerful to cause lingering side effects even after you quit the habit?
To be precise, smokers and ex-smokers should be extra diligent in taking care of their mouths to alleviate the act’s deteriorating effects.
Best oral hygiene practices for smoker’s mouth
1) Make regular dental visits
Bi-annual dental visits are crucial for smokers as they are at high risk of developing serious dental diseases.
Evaluating the smokers’ mouth by a dental professional will help in diagnosing the damage in teeth, gums, and other oral tissues caused by smoking. Meanwhile, such regular dental visits provide a way to get regular screenings, timely Professional dental cleanings to tobacco stains and plaque build-up.
Besides these, smokers can get the right tips from dental doctors to quit smoking with the right care.
2) Utilize a special toothpaste and toothbrush
You can get toothpaste formulated for smokers to remove nicotine and tobacco stains. Such toothpaste contains stronger chemicals to combat bacteria that thrive from smoking.
Likewise, smokers should use a superb-quality toothbrush that can reach every nook of the mouth to get rid of the toxic substances trapped in those places. We recommend electric toothbrushes to smokers to keep their mouths clean and healthy.
3) Use mouthwash
Cigarette smoking and tobacco chewing tend to proliferate bacteria in your mouth. Hence smokers should indulge in a proper dental hygiene activity right after smoking to mitigate bacteria growth.
Mouth rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash containing hydrogen peroxide is the right choice. This helps in killing bacteria that come with smoking whilst it support teeth whitening and maintains gum health.
4) Do Self-checkups regularly
Inspect your mouth between in-office dental checkups. Apart from pain, bleeding, numbness and sensitivity feel you sense, such self-checkups will help you to notice things like pus, darkened teeth, or other similar abnormalities that show no signs.
When you discover such unusual things, consult your dentist immediately.
5) Look for ways to quit smoking
Smoking does more agony than benefit. Besides diminishing the smile brightness, it damages the oral tissues and makes smokers vulnerable to tooth loss. Reversing the oral infections that come with smoking is possible with appropriate oral care treatments but it is quite expensive.
Hence breaking this habit ensures you a healthy mouth as well as a brighter smile.
If you aim to quit smoking, consider your dentist because dental doctors will provide you the resources and motivation in the journey of breaking this habit.
Bottom line
Smoke exposure tends to develop various gruesome bodily conditions and terrible dental diseases. Apart from smokers and ex-smokers, non-smokers who are exposed to cigarette smoke are also susceptible to its negative effects.
So we are sure that butting out this habit is good not just only for smokers, but also for their loved ones. Until then, put effort to maintain these oral hygiene habits to protect your mouth.
