According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 42 million Americans smoke. Most people understand that smoking can lead to cancer or cause bad breath, but few realize just how much damage tobacco can do to your smile. From yellow teeth to tooth loss, cigarettes can be very harmful to your smile.
The Dangers of Tobacco
How does smoking hurt your smile? First, cigarettes increase the risk of developing oral cancer. Of the 43,000 people diagnosed with oral cancer annually, nearly 50% will succumb to the disease within five years. Smoking also worsens cases of periodontal disease, boosting the chances that a patient will loose their teeth. This can also lead to implant failure for patients who smoke and have dental implants.
Tobacco use can also have cosmetic affects on the smile. First, cigarette usage elevates the plaque buildup on the teeth, leading to embarrassing yellow stains. In addition, many people who smoke suffer from chronic bad breath, or halitosis.
Quit Today!
If you smoke or use any tobacco products, we recommend quitting immediately. There are resources online to help you, including smokefree.gov. Without cigarettes, you can potentially enjoy a longer, healthier life and a more beautiful smile.
Restoring Your Smile
How do we repair a stained smile? We offer professional teeth whitening services, including dental bonding and porcelain veneers for masking serious discoloration. For patients with signs of periodontal disease, we can perform a deep cleaning. Using ultrasonic scaling and root planing, we carefully remove plaque from the teeth and roots so healthy gum tissue can once again adhere to the tooth. If you have a stained or disease smile as a result of smoking, talk to us today. We can also perform a thorough oral cancer screening in a matter of minutes.
About Dr. Truong:
Dallas TX dentist, Dr. Diep Truong, DDS offers a comfortable dental care employing the latest in cutting-edge dental technology. Our patients in Dallas and Richardson have access to innovative preventive, cosmetic, and restorative procedures. To schedule an appointment, call Viva Dental Family Dentistry at (214) 337-7800 (Dallas) or (972) 437-6000 (Richardson).
