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how smoking and alcohol affect oral health

Maintaining good oral health is what gives you confidence in your smile and overall being. Smoking and alcohol consumption severely affect the condition of your mouth, causing one dental problem or another. Possibly, you find yourself searching oral surgery near you just because of how these habits catch up with your mouth. Well, knowing about how smoking and alcohol affect the oral health condition can help better choices and evade serious dental cases.

The Impact of Smoking on Oral Health

Smoking is one of the worst habits when it comes to oral health. It stains your teeth but also causes long-term damage to your gums and mouth. Here are some of the key mouth smoking effects on oral health:

  1. Tooth Discoloration – The most common smoking effects on teeth is known as tooth discoloration due to nicotine and tar causing yellowish-brown stains in your teeth.
  2. Gum Disease – Smoking damages the immune system, so the body can fight infections weakly. Thus, gum diseases develop, leading to the eventual loss of the tooth if it remains untreated.
  3. Bad Breath – The chemicals in tobacco products contribute to chronic bad breath (halitosis), which can be difficult to manage even if you practice good oral hygiene.
  4. Delayed Healing After Oral Surgery – If you need procedures such as extracting wisdom teeth, smoking can slow the healing process, and you may risk getting infected or developing complications.
  5. Oral Cancer – The most severe effect of smoking is the increased risk of oral cancer. A smoker is six times more likely to develop oral cancer than a non-smoker.

The Impact of Alcohol on Oral Health

Although moderate drinking does not appear to cause much harm, heavy drinking can cause severe oral problems. Here’s how alcohol impacts your teeth and gums:

  1. Dry Mouth – Alcohol lowers salivation, which will make the mouth dry. Saliva cleanses off food fragments and bacteria, thus reducing the possibility of cavities and gum problems.
  2. Cavities – Most beers, cocktails, or sweet liquor has a lot of sugar and acid. These are cavity-causing agents that destroy the enamel covering your teeth, making it sensitive.
  3. Gum Inflammation – Such excessive drinking promotes gum inflammation or irritation, the result of periodontal diseases.
  4. Increased Susceptibility towards Oral Cancer-Alcohol is responsible for a most serious risk regarding oral cancer because, when people drink alcohol at times with smoked products, risks get increased through both. Risk regarding cancerous growths may arise in various mouth and the throat areas once people smoke on it with this drinking.
  5. Staining and Erosion – Dark-colored alcoholic drinks like red wine can stain your teeth, while acidic drinks like beer and spirits can weaken enamel over time.

How to Protect Your Oral Health

If you are a regular smoker or drinker, you need to take extra special care of your oral health. Here is how you can minimize the damage:

  • Brush and floss daily – keep a strict oral hygiene routine of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day.
  • Hydrate – drink plenty of water to keep the mouth moist and wash away bad bacteria.
  • Use Mouthwash – An alcohol-free mouthwash can help kill bacteria and freshen breath.
  • Visit Your Dentist Regularly- Regular dental check-ups by your dentist may help detect the early signs of dental problems, thus preventing them from becoming worse.
  • Consider Quitting- Quitting or reducing smoking and drinking can lead to significant oral and overall health improvements.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

Smoking and alcohol abuse may cause extreme effects on your dental health, causing gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer. In case you are experiencing dental issues resulting from such habits, seeking professional care is a must.

Orange Blossom Oral Surgery is ready to help you with your dental needs through its services such as oral surgery in Gibsonton. Whether you require routine care or the serious oral surgery, our team of experts is here for you. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and begin your journey toward a healthier smile!