If you’re a smoker, then you know how difficult it is to quit. Unfortunately, smoking is one of the very worst things you can do for your health. Not only is it dangerous for your heart and lungs, but it’s also terrible for your oral health. Your gums, in particular, are more prone to disease and injury if you smoke tobacco on a regular basis.
But how does tobacco smoke actually harm your gums? In short, smoking can impair your immune system, which allows oral bacteria to proliferate. These increased levels of oral bacteria can lead to gum disease, which can eventually lead to loose and lost teeth. Here’s a more detailed look at the process.
Smoking and Your Immune System
Your immune system is a collection of cells that help fight off invading pathogens – like bacteria and viruses. Your immune system helps control the number of infectious bacteria present in your mouth at any point. So, if your immune system is struggling, your oral health is likely to decline.
Smoking impairs the immune system in a few ways. It can lower the amount of vitamin C available throughout your body, which can have a negative impact on certain immune cells. It can also directly lead to a decrease in the number of immune cells.
Your Immune System and Gum Disease
If your immune system is impaired due to smoking, the number of bacteria in your mouth will start to rise. At first, you may not notice any obvious changes. But over time, you’ll likely start to notice that your gums become more sensitive and irritated. They may start to look red, especially along the gumline. If you touch your gums or floss with a bit too much gusto, your gums may start to bleed.
Make no mistake about it: these are the early signs of gum disease, also known as gingivitis. At its early stages, gingivitis can often be treated with an improved oral hygiene routine. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and use mouthwash after every brushing session, and you’ll likely notice an improvement.
However, if you continue to smoke, these treatments may not be as effective. It’s not uncommon for smokers to have bleeding, sensitive gums even when they do have good oral hygiene habits otherwise. Your immune system still can’t keep up. And it probably won’t be able to keep up until you quit smoking.
The Progression of Gum Disease
If you develop gingivitis and continue to smoke, unfortunately the prognosis can be pretty grim. Gum disease tends to worsen over time. You may eventually develop deep pockets between your teeth and your gums. Bacteria can get caught in these pockets, and that makes gum disease even harder to treat. Gum grafts are often necessary to repair the damage at this stage.
Eventually, gum disease starts to affect the periodontal ligaments. These are the connective tissues that hold your teeth in place. Once oral bacteria reach them and they start breaking down, your teeth can start to loosen in your jaw. It’s not uncommon for smokers with advanced gum disease to lose teeth at this stage.
Preventing Gum Disease in Smokers
If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do for your gum health is to quit. However, most people don’t quit overnight, and there are some steps you can take in the meantime to help minimize the impact on your oral health.
- Take a multivitamin. This will help ensure your body has the nutrients it needs to maintain a stronger immune system.
- Brush twice a day. Make brushing a priority, and never skip a session. Set an alarm, if needed, to remind you.
- Floss daily. Keep floss in your car, use flossing picks, or buy extra thin floss to make flossing your teeth more comfortable.
- Use mouthwash: Antiseptic mouthwash can help kill excess oral bacteria, reducing your risk of gum disease.
It’s not easy to quit smoking, but there are plenty of resources you can use to help you quit. Talk to your doctor about prescription medications, or consider trying nicotine gum or patches. Some smokers find joining a support group helpful, too. The most important thing is to take that first step!
If you’re a smoker who is worried about their dental health, don’t hesitate to schedule a checkup. Contact Periodontal Specialists in Kansas City today. We offer a wide range of services including periodontal maintenance, pocket reduction, dental implants, and more.
