Smoking is very damaging to both our physical and oral health. While most people are aware of how physical health is impacted by smoking, many are unaware of how our oral health is affected. Smoking is associated with a range of dental conditions. But why is this, and what impact does smoking have on bacteria in the mouth?
Smoking is one of the most harmful activities for our health. This includes both our physical and oral health.
Many people are aware of the physical health conditions associated with smoking. However, not many people are aware of the impact it has on our oral health.
Smoking is linked to a range of dental conditions. But what are these conditions, and how does smoking affect them?
Background
Despite widespread knowledge on the dangers of smoking, many people engage in the activity. A disproportionate amount of these people live in low to middle income countries – with about 80% of the world’s estimated 1.3 billion smokers from these nations [1].
A recent report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that approximately 8 million people die annually from smoking related complications [1].
In fact, in the United Kingdom, smoking is the main cause of premature death and preventable illness – underlining its damage [2].
Smoking is linked to physical health conditions like heart disease and cancer. Governments around the world have worked hard on initiatives to try and get their citizens to stop smoking. However, this has largely proved fruitless.
When a person quits smoking, their health can improve markedly. Moreover, stopping smoking has been proven to improve mental health and overall wellbeing [3].
The Mouth: The point of entry
The first thing to note is that the mouth is the point of entry when someone smokes. Automatically, there is going to be damage in this area.
To understand the damage caused by smoking, it is useful to know about the mouth. The mouth is home to a complex and diverse community of microorganisms, which make up what is called the oral microbiome.
In an ideal world, these organisms live in harmony with one another, which involves a positive balance [4]. Moreover, they are also able to promote a strong immune system and overall health.
However, if the microorganisms become unbalanced, this can result in the development of oral health conditions like gum disease and inflammation [4].
As discussed, smoking causes significant damage. Tobacco and cigarettes contain toxic substances like nicotine, tar, lead and ammonia. These harmful chemicals enter the mouth and create several problems.
Oxygen levels are reduced, the pH level of the mouth is changed, and production of saliva is lessened by smoking [4]. Saliva is crucial, as it can help to keep the mouth healthy. By making our mouths dryer, harmful bacteria can multiply.
Nicotine is a very toxic substance. It gives harmful bacteria an advantage over normal microorganisms, which allows them to multiply into colonies – forming biofilms. In turn, this results in plaque formation and tooth decay [4].
These toxic substances negatively impact the immune system, which results in chronic inflammation and slow healing. This can increase the chance of tooth loss and damage gum tissue [4].
Comparing smokers with non-smokers
A previous study that took place between 2014 and 2016 underlined the difference in bacterial composition between smokers and non-smokers [5].
128 individuals took part in the study. The researchers found that smokers had higher levels of harmful bacteria – the types of which are known to cause gum disease. For example, these include Fusobacterium, Campylobacter and Tannerella forsythia [5].
As for non-smokers, levels of the harmful bacteria were much lower, or in some cases, non-existent. Therefore, this confirmed the harm of smoking on our oral health.
What about vaping and e-cigarettes?
Vaping and e-cigarettes have become more popular in recent years. They supposedly offer a “healthier” approach to smoking, but still cause problems.
These devices operate with a battery and heating element which heats up a liquid. This results in the production of an aerosol, which also contains harmful chemicals.
Despite vaping and e-cigarettes being seen as healthier than smoking, research does not back this up from an oral health perspective [4].
Summary
Clearly, there are a range of problems caused by smoking. The chemicals cause a range of issues, and increase the levels of harmful bacteria.
Quitting smoking is definitely recommended. When a person quits, over time the mouth will return to a healthier and more balanced state. This can improve your overall oral health.
Preventing oral health problems wherever possible is crucial. Avoiding smoking and other harmful activities is important, and can lead to better overall oral health.
Thinking points…
[1] This research shows how damaging smoking is to both our physical and oral health. The harmful chemicals are linked to gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss and more issues. When you are a smoker, you are vulnerable to oral health issues. This makes attending check-ups regularly even more important. We recommend booking an appointment now!
[2] Do you smoke? Remember, support is available for quitting! One thing that many people are unaware of is the impact of second-hand smoke. Your loved ones, including children, are harmed indirectly, which creates long-term problems. If possible, try to quit smoking, it can have a positive impact on yourself and those around you!
What we offer at Taradale Dental
Taradale Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. At our Calgary dental clinic, we provide a range of services for our patients.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Taradale Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, the fees of our treatments at our Calgary dental clinic Taradale Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing, with no hidden costs.
We hope to see you soon at our Taradale Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://taradaledental.ca/!
References
[1] World Health Organization. (2023). Tobacco. Available: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco. Last accessed: 12th October 2024.
[2] Public Health England. (2019). Health matters: stopping smoking – what works?. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-stopping-smoking-what-works/health-matters-stopping-smoking-what-works. Last accessed: 12th October 2024.
[3] NHS. (2024). Stopping smoking for your mental health. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/stopping-smoking-mental-health-benefits/. Last accessed: 12th October 2024.
[4] Prince, Y. (2024). Smokers have a higher level of harmful oral bacteria, study finds. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2024-10-smokers-higher-oral-bacteria.html. Last accessed: 12th October 2024.
[5] Prince, Y., Davison, G. M., & Davids, S. F. G. et al. (2024). The effect of cigarette smoking on the oral microbiota in a South African population using subgingival plaque samples. Heliyon. 10 (10): e31559. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31559.
