The Impact of Smoking and Alcohol on Oral Health

Your mouth is the first ‘touchpoint’ for everything you eat and drink. Thus, if you ingest products harmful to the body, they pass through the mouth FIRST—and then reach your organs. For starters, the effects of smoking and alcohol excessively, without proper oral care, can ruin health in the long run. From attrition of teeth, gum infections, and mouth lesions to cancers, the dental effects of smoking and alcohol are varied and sequentially progressive. Stay proactive with your dental care with the dentist Dundas at Royal East Dental—that includes cutting back on both habits—and take home a healthy smile.

 

The Harmful Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Even though smoking in any form—cigarettes and vaping—is bad, it continues to entice millions worldwide. Here is the adverse impact of smoking on oral health:

 

The effects of smoking on oral health happen in 2 ways:

 

• The impact of smoke particles on the mouth

Smoking and dental health are intricately related. Smoking generates particles of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs), tar, and other irritants. 

 

Here’s how each affects:

 

Nicotine, a key ingredient in tobacco, is addictive and has a distinct smell. It can obstruct the blood supply to the gums, causing poor gum health (gum diseases) in the long run and slow healing of oral wounds like extraction sockets.

 

Tar, a byproduct of burnt tobacco, contains harmful chemicals and carcinogens. Tartar accumulation can lead to tooth stains, cavities, and gum disease.

 

Tobacco smoke, containing carbon monoxide, obstructs the oxygen supply to the blood supply of the gums. It may damage mouth tissues, slow down wound healing, and increase the chances of infection.

 

TSNAs, found in tobacco products, are carcinogens that can cause DNA damage and promote oral cancers in the lips, tongue, cheeks, throat, and other areas.

 

Tobacco smoke contains irritants and toxins like formaldehyde, acrolein, and ammonia. They actively inflame the gums and tissues in the mouth. This may lead to chronic conditions like leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) in the long term. These are precancerous conditions that need immediate attention.

• The heat

 

The bad effects of smoking on oral health go beyond smoke particles. Smoking involves inhaling hot smoke and vapor into the mouth, causing thermal injury to cheek and palate tissues. With time you may feel pain, burning sensations, and increased infection risks. Additionally, it can lead to a reduction in salivary flow or dry mouth, thereby increasing the risk of oral infections, gum disease, and dental decay.

How Does Alcohol Impact Oral Health?

 

Drinking alcohol regularly can lead to effects similar to smoking on oral health—both on the gums, tissues, and, in addition teeth. 

 

Nighttime alcohol consumption severely dehydrates you and causes a dry mouth. This increases the risk of gum disease due to increased bacteria production. 

 

A sticky, white ‘gunk’ you see in your mouth the next morning is a collection of bacteria. 

 

Acidic drinks like wines slowly erode the enamel, increasing vulnerability to cavities and tooth sensitivity. It is essential to limit alcohol consumption for better oral and overall health.

Understand the Effects of Smoking and Alcohol With Your Dentist

Smoking and oral health are known to be adversely impacting each other. Dental care in Dundas with Royal East Dental always makes it a point to educate every patient about the side effects of both smoking and drinking alcohol. As one of the best dentists in Dundas Ontario, we always record your dental history, inclusive of adverse habits, if any. We hope to handhold you and help you cut back on teeth-unfriendly habits.