Can Smoking hasten Tooth decay ?

Many people feel that consumption of sugary substances lead to tooth decay alone. But studies show that smoking also cause tooth decay and at a faster rate. This article tries to explain how smoking can be harmful in yet another way – through tooth decay – leading to oral cancer ultimately.

Role of Saliva in maintaining healthy state of the mouth:

Saliva is a body fluid which performs many functions in order to maintain a healthy state of our mouth. It protects soft tissues of the mouth from dryness, ulcer formation , cancer causing agents and repair them from damage. It maintains the balance of micro-organisms in the mouth by removing the debris. It maintains a neutral PH level of our mouth. It also neutralizes the stomach acids reaching the teeth through the esophagus.

Damage caused by smoking to the inflow of saliva in our mouth:

Smoking restricts the inflow of the saliva in the mouth . It causes:

• Lack of calcium availability leading to tooth decay.
• Gum disease , which leads to tooth lose.
• Smoking also reduces the flow of blood to the gums depriving them from the essential nutrients.
• The vitamin C level also reduces threatening the health of the gums.
• The teeth undergoes severe wear and tear and the tooth roots get exposed. This also causes tooth decay.
• Treatment of gum diseases for smokers is not possible because of these two primary factors of reduced blood flow and vitamin C to the gums.
• Smoking also raises the mouth temperature. It damages important cells and tissues of the mouth.
• Cigarettes have cancer causing compounds. These compounds along with high mouth temperature lead to oral cancer of the mouth.
• Sore throat, swallowing with pain, loose teeth , white or red patches in the mouth and swelling in the mouth are some symptoms of oral cancer.

Unfortunately, the survival rate of oral cancer patients is very low. Hope this article’s intended audience realize and quit smoking as early as possible, before it’s too late.

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