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The health consequences of smoking are well documented. Not only are you far more at risk from very serious disease such as cancer and heart disease but you may also want to consider the consequences for your dental health. Not only is smoking very damaging for the appearance of the teeth but it can also be responsible for casing very serious conditions such as periodontitis and oral cancer.
The toxins in tobacco smoke leave the tooth enamel with a very unpleasant looking brown staining. This is very difficult, if not impossible, to remove unless you have an expensive tooth whitening procedure. But the chemicals in cigarette smoke can also cause damage to the gum tissue.
Smoking makes the gum tissue a lot less able to repair itself and slows down the healing process. Gum disease can be very serious if not treated in sufficient time and can require tissue removal and even hospitalisation in serious cases. Gum disease has also recently been linked to heart disease, as the infection can easily enter the bloodstream within the mouth.
Patients who smoke are also much more likely to suffer from oral cancer. Smoking is one of the primary causes of cancer and it is estimated that smokers are up to six times more likely to suffer from oral cancer.
At whatever stage of life you are at, stopping smoking could help to drastically improve your oral health. London dentists are specially trained to help you give up smoking with the minimum of difficulty. They can provide you with the necessary information and tools to beat the habit and once again give your teeth and gums the respect they deserve.