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A lot of people know that smoking diminishes overall health, but some people do not know the impact smoking has on oral health. Smoking can present a number of harmful risks such as:
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of oral cancer
- Decreased blood flow to the gums
- Teeth sensitivity
- Discolored teeth
- Drymouth
- Increased risk of tooth loss
Smoking is a habit that can not only hurt your insides, but you could have discolored, or even no teeth at all. Fortunately, cosmetic dentistry offers options to correct the aesthetic impact smoking has on your teeth. You should be advised that some of these treatments will not work unless smoking has been stopped for a significant amount of time.
1. Teeth Whitening
The tar and chemicals that is in cigarette smoke discolors teeth over time. Teeth whitening will bring the vibrant, white color back to the surface of your teeth. Professional in-office teeth whitening would be the best route for a smoker to take in order to get a powerful restoration of a pearly white color!
2. Veneers
If the stains are significant enough, whitening may not be able to reverse the damage. Natural, porcelain veneers will cover up any stained teeth.
3. Crowns
Since smokers have an increased risk for gum disease and tooth decay, a root canal and crown may be the best option for a particular patient.
4. Bridges
A non surgical fix for someone who is missing one tooth between two healthy teeth. This would be advisable for someone who did not want to quit smoking totally.
5. Implants
On the contrary to bridges, implants require surgery and require the patient to stop smoking before and after procedure.
As you can see, smoking has a lot of harmful effects on the oral health of your body. Unfortunately, cosmetic dentistry cannot fix problems like oral cancer or gum disease, but it can help you regain a confident smile!
