Cigarette stops your mouth from using its full ability to combat infection. This leaves the body without enough defenses against the bacteria that smoking can produce. As the number of bacteria and plaque in your mouth increases, the body is at risk of some health problems, including the following:

Bad Breath

Cigarette particles stay in the mouth even if a person is done smoking. This causes the breath to smell like cigarettes. However, cigarette smoking affects breath even more. Long-term smoking can result in bacteria overgrowth in the mouth, which results to horrible breath. And the bad news is regular brushing or gargling with mouthwash may not eliminate the smell as it can be caused by underlying dental issues. The best way to get rid of bad breath is to stop smoking and consult a dentist for the right dental care services in Colorado that will address the underlying problems that cause the bad breath.

Tooth Discoloration

Smokers tend to have stained teeth. Tobacco has chemicals which stick to the teeth’s enamel, causing discoloration over time. This process can be slowed down with teeth whitening treatments; however, if the person continues to smoke, there’s no way to totally remedy the discoloration.

Gum Disease

Smokers are at a higher risk for gum disease than people who don’t smoke. This risk increases with each cigarette being smoked, and treatments for gum disease don’t work on those who smoke. The reason is that bacteria build up in the teeth and make their way to the gums. Gum disease, when left untreated, can result in the pulling away of gums from the teeth and cause weakening of the underlying bone structure. Periodontitis is the most serious form of gum disease. This condition is characterized by the breakdown of the bone and tissue that hold the teeth, resulting in extraction of the teeth.

Those who smoke like there’s no tomorrow tend to have lost some of their teeth as their mouth is not able to heal. However, dental implants are a good option to gain back their dental aesthetic, as long as the smoker decides to completely quit smoking. The dental implant cost will definitely be worth the investment as the used-to-be smoker will have new teeth again that he will want to take care of this time.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer is the most serious type of mouth problem associated with smoking. A smoker’s risk of developing this type of cancer increases if he combines smoking with heavy drinking.

A person with oral cancer can have red or white patches in his mouth. Also, he will have problem chewing and swallowing, ear pain and jaw numbness. Although these symptoms can be caused by other health issues, anybody who has these symptoms or over a couple of weeks must see their doctor.

Whatever dental problems you have, we have the right dental solutions for you. Call First Choice Dental at 303-320-0734.