Most Americans have heard once or twice (or several times) that “smoking is not good for you.” Yes, yes, yes. Smoking can cause lung cancer. And yet, this habit remains a prevalent condition in our country, not only among adults but among young people, as well. The fact is, studies have identified several thousand chemicals in cigarette smoke. Of these, nearly 100 of them are known to cause cancer. The “C” word, aside, there are direct ways in which the use of tobacco, and all of its complementary chemicals, affects your mouth.

Discoloration

Stained teeth look old. At the very least, discoloration makes your smile forgettable. Stained teeth can look unhealthy. At worst, they can make you look unwell! Smoking and other tobacco use affect enamel in two ways. First, the chemicals in tobacco products deposit molecules onto the surface of teeth. These are absorbed into the microscopic pores in enamel, where they block light and cause teeth to look dull. The more molecules that are absorbed, the darker and more yellow teeth become. Many smokers, if they do not have their teeth whitened periodically, eventually develop brown stains around the gum line. The second way that tobacco use degrades the smile is by weakening enamel, thus making it vulnerable to further discoloration.

Gum Degradation

For gum tissue to be healthy and strong, it requires oxygenation. Tobacco use impedes the uptake of oxygen into tissues by decreasing the level of oxygen in the blood. Without adequate nutrients, the gums become weak and loose around teeth. This tissue becomes susceptible to the consequences of oral bacteria, which create an acidic surface on which infection can more easily develop. Gum disease is a progressive condition that can spread beneath the gums to the periodontal ligament and, eventually, to the bone.

We can help you brighten your smile with professional teeth whitening, hiding the fact that you use tobacco. What we would like to do is help you preserve the health of your teeth and mouth with routine oral care and assistance when you are ready to “kick the habit.”

Dr. Frey has provided outstanding dental care to patients in the Los Angeles area and far beyond for the past 25 years. His services will soon cross the pond, with our new office location in London opening soon. To schedule a visit in our Beverly Hills office, call us today.,

YOU PROBABLY ALREADY KNOW MANY OF THE DANGERS associated with smoking. But, did you also know that smokers are twice as likely as non-smokers to lose their teeth? In addition, there are even greater dangers that smoking presents to your oral health.

Smoking wreaks havoc on your gums. It lowers your ability to fight infections in your mouth and compounds healing time. It increases the risk for periodontal disease. Smokers are even twice as likely to need root canals and more likely to develop cavities.

Most Of All… 

Smoking is the biggest controllable risk factor for oral cancer. An oral cancer study in the UK concluded that 70% of oral cancer cases in men, and 55% of oral cancer cases in women, were caused by smoking.

What Can You Do To Guard Against Oral Cancer? 

First And Foremost, Reduce Your Risk Factors:

Know The Signs:

Unfortunately, oral cancer still occurs in people without any typical risk factors. So even if you don’t smoke, you need to know the signs of oral cancer, including:

Have Regular Oral Cancer Screenings.

By examining the tissues in your mouth we can spot the signs of oral cancer early, making successful treatment much more probable.

The Best Way To Be Safe Is To Quit Smoking—End Of Story, No Exceptions.

As your health care professionals, we encourage you to cut your risk for this life-threatening disease by cutting smoking out of your life.

If you’re just not ready to take the first step toward quitting, please take care of your health by keeping your regular appointments with our practice. Studies show that 50% of smokers don’t come to their regular appointments. Your check-ups are more important than ever. Be vigilant.

You can learn more at oralcancerfoundation.org or mouthcancer.org. 

If you have any questions about reducing your risk factors, or what to expect during an oral cancer screening, contact us. If you notice something that you’re worried may be an early sign of oral cancer, give us a call.