5 NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SMOKING ON ORAL HEALTH

Reduces Saliva Secretion

Nicotine is one of the most well-known active ingredients in cigarettes. Nicotine stimulates the nervous system by acting on it. As a result, saliva flow is reduced. Saliva is a very important fluid for the body, especially the mouth. Decreased saliva facilitates the settlement of bacterial plaques on teeth and gums. In addition, the decrease in saliva increases the number and progression of dental caries.

Causes Bad Breath

Bad breath is something that I’m sure none of us would ever want. There are many diseases that can cause bad breath. But smokers also have bad breath. The substances contained in cigarettes accumulate in the mouth and cause a bad odor. In addition to this, another situation arises from the previous article. The decrease in saliva flow in the mouth prepares the ground for many diseases. Bad breath is one of them. Anyone who smokes or tries to smoke should prepare for it.

Teeth Discoloration Is Inevitable

Smokers have a build-up of tar in their mouths. The tar accumulated on the teeth causes discoloration on the teeth. These dark-brown discolorations cause this situation especially aesthetically in smokers. This is a major adverse effect of smoking.

Constricts Blood Vessels in the Mouth

Another bad feature of this nicotine, which is one of the substances in cigarettes, is its vasoconstricting effect. With the narrowing of the veins, the blood flow in the gingiva will decrease. It prevents adequate oxygen and blood cells from reaching the gingiva. In this case, the self-protective feature of the gingiva weakens. However, this weakens its reparative properties. A mouth is now more vulnerable to a disease factor that occurs in the mouth.

Susceptibility to Gum Diseases Increases

Smoking increases the susceptibility to many systemic diseases and puts them in the risk group. It is supported by researches that it has direct effects on respiratory and heart diseases.

The phrase “health begins in the mouth” becomes meaningful in this situation. With cigarette smoking, blood vessels in the mouth narrow and saliva flow decreases and many bad situations come with it. If we go down to the scientific basis of the subject, the reduction of local oxygen pressure as a result of blood vessels constriction allows anaerobic bacteria to multiply and grow. It can also increase the attachment of bacteria to the cheeks and gums.

Smoking is one of the leading causes that negatively affect the progression of a gum disease. It negatively affects the defense mechanism of the gingiva. Thus, it makes the gums more vulnerable to bacteria. It prevents the early signs of the disease from appearing. Since the blood vessels are constricted, there is not even a simple symptom such as bleeding. It weakens the response to treatment. Moreover, recovery from smoking can be maintained for a very limited time.

It is also the result of research that the bone level in the mouth is significantly reduced in people who smoke. Considering this situation, it should be kept in mind that a smoker may lose his teeth due to gum and bone recession, even if he has no tooth decay.