How Tobacco Effects Your Oral Health

No matter how you choose to consume tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc.), you are doing damage to your oral and overall health. Tobacco use is widely associated with lung cancer, oral cancer, and gum disease, just to name a few.

How Smoking Damages Dental Health

Below are a few of the many ways that smoking can cause harm to your dental health:

• The use of tobacco greatly increases your risk of cancer, especially oral cancer
• Smoking causes plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth, which can cause tooth decay
• Staining and yellowing of the teeth as well as bad breath
• Smoking can make it more difficult to heal after dental procedures
• Tobacco use increases the risk of gum disease and periodontitis, which can lead to the eventual loss of the teeth

Signs of Oral Cancer

Below are a few signs of oral cancer to keep an eye out for:

• Lumps or bumpy patches of skin inside the mouth
• Numbness or pain in the lips or mouth
• Sores that won’t heal or ongoing tenderness or burning
• Color changes occurring on the soft tissues of the mouth
• Trouble swallowing, chewing, or moving the tongue or jaw

Here at Endodontic Specialists of Colorado, it’s important to us that our patients are well educated and aware of the signs and symptoms of trouble. To make an appointment at our office, please contact Endodontic Specialists. We have offices in Colorado Springs North, Colorado Springs South, and Pueblo, Colorado.