When you smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco, this could leave you at risk for periodontitis and other serious oral health issues. Which is why we encourage our patients and their families to quit! In today’s blog, your Encinitas/San Diego, CA, periodontist talks about how to quit smoking!
Tobacco and Gum Disease
Tobacco products, whether that includes vaping, cigarettes, or smokeless tobacco, could lead to serious trouble for your oral health. In many cases, the use of these products exacerbates periodontal disease, increasing the risk of the later stage, known as periodontitis. This leads to severe recession, which makes your teeth appear long and uneven. Their use also increases the risk of unsightly yellow and brown teeth stains that can be difficult to remove. But as your periodontal issues grow more severe, this could lead to adult tooth loss too. With your missing teeth, comes issues with strained jaw joints and bite imbalance, as well as complications eating and speaking. You risk the stability, beauty, and even the function of your smile. Which is why we urge people to quit!
Other Threats to Your Oral Health
These products contain tons of harmful ingredients and carcinogens, such as arsenic, ammonia, acetone, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and tar. Nicotine makes it incredibly addictive, and it also contains Polonium 210, a radioactive carcinogen. In addition to worsening gum disease and the risk of tooth loss, these products can lead to oral cancer, as well as cancer in the lungs and throat, and well, everywhere else. Your life can be at risk, and as anyone who has lost someone to smoking-related illnesses can tell you, this death won’t be a quick one, although there will come a point where you wish it could be. For your sake, and for the sake of your loved ones, quit.
Schedule a Visit
We would love to talk to you about strategies for quitting tobacco products, so you can enjoy better oral health and better overall health too. We’re also here to help you with the impact of missing, such as poor periodontal health. We have treatments for minor and severe cases, so we make the issue manageable and protect the stability of your smile. If you have any questions about diagnosing and treating issues like periodontal disease, then contact our team today to learn more. We’re here to help, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Talk To Your Encinitas/San Diego, CA Periodontist About Protecting Your Smile
Our team wants to make sure you enjoy a strong and healthy smile. If you would like to learn more about quitting tobacco products, then call Dr. Kania’s office in Encinitas/San Diego, CA, at (760) 642-0711.