Most people associate tobacco use with different kinds of cancer, such as lung cancer. However, using different tobacco products can cause many different issues, especially within the mouth. There are many concerns within the scope of general dentistry, all of which can be avoided by not using tobacco products.
The first on this list is periodontal disease, otherwise known as gum disease. When people smoke or use smokeless tobacco, they are four times as likely to develop gum disease, as opposed to someone who does not use tobacco.
Another impact is increased tooth loss. People who smoke are twice as likely to lose their teeth when compared with someone who does not use any type of tobacco products.
Eventually, people who use tobacco, in any of its forms, will have stained teeth. Teeth that are stained are unattractive and can cause people to have self-confidence problems.
Another concern within the scope of general dentistry is bad breath. Brushing the teeth or rinsing with mouthwash can temporarily remedy bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis. However, the fix is short lived, and once the tobacco enters the mouth or lungs again, all bets are off.
In addition to cancer of the lung, there are other forms associated with tobacco use as well. Some of these forms of cancer include throat and oral, both of which are usually linked to tobacco use.
Finally, the tongue can also be a victim of different types of tobacco use. Using tobacco products can cause the tongue to turn different colors, such as black or yellow, and give it the appearance of having hair.
It is important to remember that using tobacco products can have a serious impact on your entire body. The well-known cancer types and heart disease are only the tip of the iceberg. In reality, within the scope of general dentistry, tobacco products can do immeasurable damage to the mouth as a whole, and once the issues are there, they may be irreversible. The best way to not develop these problems is by not using tobacco products at all.