Tobacco and alcohol, major enemies of dental health
Tobacco and alcohol are two of the main enemies of oral health. Smoking and excessive drinking can cause a range of dental problems, from stained teeth to serious diseases such as oral cancer.
- Tobacco and dental health
- Alcohol and dental health
- Visible effects of tobacco on teeth
- Visible effects of alcohol on teeth
- Solutions to repair tobacco and alcohol damage to teeth
Tobacco and dental health:
Tobacco is a major risk factor for periodontal disease, which is the set of pathologies that affect the tissues that support the tooth, causing accentuated bone loss, potentially leading to tooth loss.
Tobacco reduces blood flow to the gums, which hinders the healing of wounds and the repair of damaged tissue. In addition, smoking can cause halitosis (bad breath), dry mouth, tooth staining, tooth decay and tooth loss. Smoking can also impair the healing process after tooth extraction or dental surgery and can cause dental treatments to fail.
Alcohol and dental health:
Excessive alcohol consumption can have a negative effect on dental health. Alcohol dries out the mouth, which decreases saliva production. Saliva is important for keeping the mouth moist and protecting teeth and gums against bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay and periodontal disease. In addition, alcohol can increase the risk of oral cancer, especially when consumed in combination with tobacco.
Visible effects of tobacco on teeth:
Smoking can have several negative effects on oral health, including teeth. Some of the visible effects of tobacco on teeth are described below:
Staining: Smoking can cause stains on teeth that can vary in colour and intensity. Stains can be yellowish, brown or black and are due to the accumulation of nicotine and tar on the tooth surface.
These stains encourage the accumulation of plaque and in many cases the stain penetrates the tooth structure causing a change in internal colour.
Bad breath and taste distortion: Smoking can also cause bad breath or halitosis. The smell of tobacco smoke permeates the tooth surface and the taste buds of the tongue, causing a bad smell in the mouth and a distortion of the sense of taste as smell and taste are intimately related.
Loss of tooth enamel: Tobacco use can also contribute to the loss of tooth enamel. Enamel is the hard, protective layer that covers the teeth and tobacco can weaken it, which can lead to tooth decay and other oral health problems.
Risk of periodontal disease: Because tobacco lowers blood risk, it masks the signs of periodontal disease and is also an impediment to treatment of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is more prevalent in patients who smoke.
Visible effects of alcohol on teeth:
Alcohol, has a dehydrating effect on the body, so at the oral level there is a deceleration in the production of saliva important.
Dry mouth leads to increased bad breath, enamel erosion or staining.
A correct quantity and quality of saliva is very important to keep the mouth moist and to neutralise the acids produced after eating or drinking. Dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay and other infections.
In general, smoking and excessive drinking are bad for dental health and can lead to serious problems. It is important to limit tobacco and alcohol consumption to maintain good dental health. It is also important to follow good oral hygiene, such as brushing three times a day, flossing daily and visiting the dentist regularly to detect and treat dental problems early.
Solutions to repair tobacco and alcohol damage to the teeth are first and foremost a matter of quitting tobacco and alcohol use.
- Going for a check-up at Udemax Clinics and thus provide an individualised treatment.
- Hygienic habits healthy, brushing 3 times a day, use of specific toothpastes and mouthwashes to control periodontal disease, use of dental floss, interproximal brushes or irrigators to clean the most inaccessible areas.
- Periodontal treatment to remove supra- and subgingival tartar and restore the correct bacterial flora.
- Tooth whitening: to restore the original colour and even improve it, this would be the option of choice to improve your appearance. There are different types of dental whitening depending on the colour and type of enamel, so it is essential to be supervised by a professional to achieve a successful treatment.
- Dental restorations: when there is destruction of the enamel, veneers or ceramic crowns are required. ceramic crowns to improve the appearance by redesigning the shape of the destroyed tooth.
- Dental implants: If you have lost teeth due to periodontal disease or other oral health problems, dental implants are the ideal option to replace missing teeth and rehabilitate lost function. Maintaining good hygiene habits is essential to increase the durability of dental implants.
Your health is our priority.
Make an appointment at Udemax Clinics and choose the location that best suits you: Udemax in the outpatient clinics of Policlínica Juaneda, in Arcdental or in Emardental, your clinic in the centre of Palma. For more information, call us on .
