Oral Health Warning For Smokers

Smokers are getting a timely reminder about the dental damage they are incurring with their nicotine addiction. Regularly smoking cigarettes dramatically increases the risk of getting diseases such as mouth cancer and the nicotine ingredient also stains teeth leaving them with an unhealthy yellow tinge.

Despite these widely publicised dangers, recent research by the American government has revealed that smokers are less likely to visit their dentist compared to non-smokers. US governmental department the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that over a third of smokers complained of having a wide variety of dental problems ranging from stained teeth to jaw pain and toothache as well as infected gums.

The number of problems reported by smokers was twice as many compared to people who had never smoked in their life but this did not encourage them to visit the dentist more regularly. It was discovered that 20 per cent of smokers surveyed claimed that they had not visited their dentist in at least five years and this reluctance to have their teeth checked is only exacerbating their oral health problems. Smokers should make regular appointments with their dentist because they are at a higher risk of suffering from oral diseases which can be treated more effectively if caught early enough.

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) reported that three-quarters of mouth cases are linked to tobacco and alcohol consumption so reducing or eliminating the amount you smoke and drink is incredibly important. Aside from the health issues, smoking also damages the appearance of a person's facial features including their smile, which is one of the most important factors in making a positive first impression. Smokers are much more likely to have an unattractive yellow smile and have missing teeth compared to non-smokers and this puts them at a distinct disadvantage in their love life.

With Valentine's Day looming, the BDHF has stated that bad breath, which is another by-product of smoking, is the number one passion killer for those looking for love on the big night. Tobacco is a serious cause of bad breath so smokers are advised to brush their tongue, or to use a tongue scraper, as this will also help to reduce the nicotine odours emanating from the mouth. If your attempts at eradicating bad breath are not working, it is advisable to make an appointment with your dentist or hygienist as they will be able to advise you on how to clean more effectively.

Elizabeth Street Dentist London provide a full range of general, preventive, cosmetic dentistry treatments and teeth whitening London services in a relaxed atmosphere to the highest standards, using the latest technology. Click on the links to discover how Elizabeth Street Dentist can improve your smile!