How Smoking Affects Your Teeth

Dental Problems

Smoking leads to dental problems including:



• Bad breath
• Tooth discoloration
• Inflammation of the salivary gland apertures on the roof of the mouth
• Increased risk of bone loss within the jaw
• Plaque and tar buildup
• The delayed healing process for dental procedures such as tooth extractions, periodontal treatment, or oral surgery
• The lower success rate for dental implant procedures
• Increased risk for developing oral cancer
• Increased risk of leukoplakia which are white patches inside of your mouth

Losing your teeth may be one of the many negative side effects of smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products. Smokers develop more tartar on their teeth than nonsmokers, which can ultimately lead to periodontal or gum disease. Here are some of the many ways smoking affects your oral health:

• Teeth-Staining - One of the most common effects of smoking is staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short period of time and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking. 



• Bad Breath - People who smoke regularly obtain a smoker’s breath which is a stale scent that is created by cigarette smoke that lingers in your throat and lungs. Smoking also leaves chemical compounds in your mouth that can when combined with your saliva causes bad breath. Smoking can cause the mouth to become dry, which also results in less saliva being produced. This gives the compounds from the cigarette the opportunity to thrive without any saliva affecting their activities.

E-Cigarettes

There isn’t any tobacco in some e-cigarettes so many people assume that vaping is much better for oral health. While e-cigarettes don’t produce smoke, the vapor still contains nicotine. In addition, e-cigarettes still contain other chemicals and heavy metals, although this is much less than cigarettes, which are bad for your teeth and body. The nicotine in these products can damage gum tissue and reduce saliva production, which results in bad breath, receding gums, and tooth loss. Scientists are still learning about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on one’s health. Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine which has known health effects, such as the following:

• Nicotine is highly addictive
• Nicotine can negatively affect adolescent brain development, which may persist into the early to mid-twenties.
• Nicotine poses a health risk to expectant mothers and their unborn children.
• E-cigarette liquid can be poisonous when swallowed, inhaled, or absorbed by both kids and adults.



It has been demonstrated that vaping increases the risk of cavities, gum disease, and other oral health issues. People who vape also have a much higher chance of developing gum recession, tooth sensitivity, gum disease, tooth loss, and tooth damage due to clenching or grinding.