Tobacco is extremely bad for your overall health and can affect your oral health as well. You’ve probably noticed your teeth have become extremely stained through the years as a result of smoking. No matter how much you brush, how often you floss and rinse with mouthwash, nothing seems to work.
You begin to notice some darker spots developing on your teeth or soreness in your gums.
Here are three ways tobacco can actually be destroying your teeth.
1. Degrading the enamel.
Whenever the enamel on your teeth is exposed to foreign contaminants, such as nicotine and tar, it can wear down. When the enamel gets too weak it can no longer protect the teeth and that can cause chipping, cracking, and breaking of the teeth.
2. Stains.
A dentist can only do so much to remove certain stains on your teeth. Even if you visit your dentist every six months for regular cleaning and checkup, you may notice a yellow tint on your teeth growing more significant each passing year.
Veneers might be a reasonable solution but that only covers up the problem.
3. Harboring bacteria.
If you ever get the chance to smell your breath it probably isn’t pleasant. The most significant cause of bad breath, or halitosis, is bacteria and when you smoke it helps to harbor even more bacterial growth in your mouth. All of that bacteria is working to erode the quality of your teeth and gums.
If you want better oral health, think about quitting. There are e-cigarettes, nicotine patches, nicotine gums, and many other strategies that can help you quit this habit once and for all.