Smoking, Vaping and Your Oral Health: What You Should Know

Most people know smoking is hard on the lungs and heart. Fewer realize how much it affects the mouth, and many assume vaping is harmless for teeth. Whether you smoke, chew tobacco or vape, here's what's happening in your mouth, and the good news about what changes when you quit.

How tobacco affects your mouth

• Gum disease. Smoking is one of the strongest risk factors for gum disease. It reduces blood flow to the gums and weakens the body's ability to fight infection, so gum disease tends to be more severe and harder to treat.
• Hidden warning signs. Because smoking restricts blood flow, gums may bleed less even when disease is present, which can hide the problem until it's advanced.
• Slower healing after extractions, gum treatment and implant surgery, with a higher risk of complications such as dry socket.
• Tooth loss, often as a result of advanced gum disease.
• Oral cancer. Tobacco in any form is a leading risk factor for cancers of the mouth and throat.
• Staining and bad breath. Tar and nicotine stain teeth yellow or brown, and tobacco causes persistent bad breath.
• Reduced sense of taste and smell.

Chewing tobacco and snuff

Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative. It's held against the gums and cheek for long periods, which can cause gum recession, tooth decay from added sugars, white patches called leukoplakia, and cancers of the cheek, gums and lips.

What about vaping?

E-cigarettes don't contain tar, but they're not risk-free for your mouth. Research on long-term effects is still developing, but there are good reasons for caution:

• Nicotine in most vapes reduces blood flow to the gums, as it does with cigarettes.
• Dry mouth. Vaping liquids can dry out the mouth, raising the risk of cavities and bad breath.
• Sweet flavors and sticky vapor residue can contribute to decay.
• Gum irritation and inflammation are commonly reported.

Vaping has become common among teens. If your teen vapes, their dentist may notice changes in their gums or teeth and can help start a conversation.

Warning signs to watch for

Whether you smoke, chew or vape, see your dentist if you notice:

• Red, swollen or receding gums
• Loose teeth
• A sore that doesn't heal within two weeks
• White or red patches in your mouth
• A lump, rough spot or persistent pain in your mouth or throat

Every exam at Zen Family Dental includes an oral cancer screening. Our post on oral cancer screenings explains what we check.

The good news: your mouth recovers

Quitting benefits your mouth quickly. Blood flow to the gums improves, gum disease responds better to treatment, healing after dental work improves, and your risk of oral cancer goes down over time. Professional cleanings can remove much of the staining, and your senses of taste and smell often sharpen.

Help with quitting

Quitting is hard, and many people need several tries. Free support is available through 1-800-QUIT-NOW, and your doctor can talk with you about medications and nicotine replacement. We're glad to support you too, without judgment.

Keep your mouth healthy

If you smoke, vape or use tobacco, regular checkups are especially important. We may recommend cleanings more often to keep your gums healthy. Learn more about our periodontal treatment, then request an appointment online or call Zen Family Dental at (703) 385-2772.