Smoking also affects the mouth in many ways. The most common oral health problems associated with smoking are:

Smokers breath, stained teeth and loss of taste

Smoking stains teeth, fillings and dentures.

Smoker’s bad breath can create serious personal and social embarrassment for smokers. Mints used to have fresh breath may contain sugar and lead to tooth decay.

Evidence shows that people who smoke often complain of altered taste. Sugar and salt used in giving taste to food can be of harm to your health and teeth.

Poor response to dental treatment and healing.

Smoking often causes complications after extraction of teeth and slower healing following treatment for gum disease. Dental implants are more likely to fail in smokers because of poor healing.

Gum disease and tooth loss

Healthy gums need good blood circulation. Smoking decreases the supply of blood and oxygen, causing damage to the gums and bone supporting the teeth. Smokers’ gums are often thickened and may vary in colour from unusually pale to purplish in severe cases. Smokers are up to 6 times more likely to develop gum disease than non-smokers. Gum disease is the major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Oral Cancer

The incidence of oral cancers is increasing. They occur more often in people who have smoked for many years or who smoke and are heavy drinkers.

Early stages of oral cancer are not painful but often appear as small white or red patches or ulcers that do not heal. These can be detected during dental check-ups. Oral cancer diagnosed in the early stages may often be successfully treated. Treatment at a later stage will be less successful.

Smokeless tobacco often contains sugars to enhance flavour. This increases the risk of tooth decay. It may contain sand and grit which can cause tooth wear and irritate the gum tissue. This causes the gum to recede or pull away from your teeth and expose the tooth roots increasing the risk of sensitivity.​

How can I keep a healthy mouth?

• Quit smoking!
• Visit the dentist regularly for a routine check up and cleaning.
  Brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day. Make sure you sleep with a clean mouth.
• Use a fluoride toothpaste. Smokers’ toothpastes and whitening products should be used with caution. They may contain tiny abrasive particles that may result in excessive tooth wear and eventually sensitive teeth.
• Eat healthy foods.​

Contact your dentist if you notice:

• Any changes in your mouth.
• Difficulty in tasting, chewing or swallowing.
• Any discomfort, sores or bleeding.
• Lumps and swellings.