Did you know that approximately 10% of Australians smoke? This habit is not only detrimental to a person’s overall health, but it also has specific, and sometimes serious, oral health impacts. People who smoke are more likely to develop gum disease, tooth loss, and oral cancers.
This is why it is important for those who smoke to regularly visit their dentist. This can allow for early identification and prevention of problems.
In this blog, we will cover the impact of smoking on the mouth.
How Does Smoking Impact Oral Health?
Some of the more common problems affecting smokers include:
- Gum disease (periodontitis)
- Smokers’ keratosis (whitening of the soft tissue in the mouth)
- Tooth decay
- Dry socket after tooth removal surgeries
- Tooth loss
- Mouth cancer
- Poor healing after oral surgeries
- Decreased taste
- Bad taste in the mouth and bad breath (halitosis)
Smoking and Gum Disease
Gum disease comes in two stages: gingivitis and periodontitis. Smokers are prone to both.
Gum disease is caused by an infection that destroys the tissues and structures surrounding the tooth. This is triggered by bacteria and plaque, which irritate the gums and cause inflammation.
If periodontitis is left untreated, the supporting structures of the tooth can become damaged. This increases the risk of teeth becoming loose, falling out, or requiring extraction by a dentist.
The risk of gum disease is higher for someone who smokes fewer than 10 cigarettes a day compared to a non-smoker. For heavy smokers, this risk increases by 4 to 5 times.
Additionally, gum disease may be harder to identify in smokers. Bleeding gums—a key indicator—may not be present due to reduced blood supply to the gums.
Smokers are also less likely to see improvement from professional dental cleaning compared to non-smokers.
In addition to an increased risk of severe periodontitis, smokers are more likely to develop acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis—a painful condition that causes bad breath, gum recession, bleeding gums, and mouth ulcers.
Smoking and Healing After Dental Surgery
Smoking impairs the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight infections and slowing healing after dental surgeries or tooth extractions. It can also increase post-operative pain.
After tooth removal, smoking increases the risk of dry socket—a painful condition where the protective blood clot is dislodged or fails to form. Smoking is also linked to reduced success rates for dental implants.
Smoking and Oral Cancer
Smoking is one of the primary risk factors for oral cancer, which can affect the tongue, lips, and roof or floor of the mouth. While quitting reduces the risk over time, it may not return to the level of a non-smoker.
Looking for a Dentist in Kalgoorlie?
If you are a smoker concerned about your oral health, speak with our friendly and professional team at Goldfields Family Dental. As a family-owned clinic, we offer top-quality service and treatment. Call 08 9000 3514 or get in touch online today.