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Question: “Dr. Arnold, my son is eighteen,
and he began smoking this year. I understand the health
risks, but can you explain the dental problems associated
with smoking?”
Answer: We all know the well-documented effects that
smoking can have on one’s overall health. Just
a few of these include increased risk for cardiovascular
(heart) problems, lung cancer, and low birth-weight babies. In
fact, research estimates that smokers live an average of
fourteen years less than non-smokers.
Unfortunately, smoking can also have a profound impact
on one’s oral health, too. The use of
tobacco products greatly increases the risk for and can
elevate the severity of periodontal (gum and bone) disease,
which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss for Americans.
It can also exacerbate gum recession, which leads to exposure
of the root surfaces of teeth. These root surfaces
are often very sensitive to temperature changes, sweets,
and any type of abrasion (such as brushing one’s teeth). These
exposed areas are also more prone to decay (cavities).
Oral cancer is another common sequella of tobacco use. Cancer
of the mouth sometimes goes undetected until it is too late. It
often grows rapidly and can be fatal if not diagnosed and
treated quickly. A good dental team will screen for
oral cancer at each visit, so please make sure that your
son sees his dentist regularly.
Smoking after a tooth is extracted (removed) can lead to
what is known as a dry socket. This is an infection
that can develop in an extraction site and can be very painful. Tobacco
use must be discontinued for at least seventy-two hours
after tooth removal to decrease the likelihood of a dry
socket.
Other potential problems include increased staining and
tartar buildup, bad breath, and the possibility of diminished
senses of taste and smell.
The longer (and more) that one smokes, the more likely
they are to have the aforementioned oral health problems. I
would encourage you to help your son stop smoking as soon
as possible to decrease the risk factors associated with
this obviously unhealthy habit.
Dr. Jim Arnold is a practicing dentist in Chesterton and Valparaiso. He is also a clinical mentor with the Hornbrook Group and serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics as the Fellowship Chairman. You may send questions to his office at: 1830 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304 or email them to: drarnold@SmilesByArnold.com. More information on this or many other dental topics can be found at www.SmilesByArnold.com.
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