Smoking, Tobacco and Vaping
How Does Smoking Affect Your Teeth & Gums?
Smoking can make it more difficult to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
Tobacco use can contribute to:
- Increased plaque and tartar buildup
- Gum disease
- Gum recession
- Tooth staining
- Bad breath
- Delayed healing
- Tooth loss
- Increased risk of oral infections
Smoking can also affect the body’s ability to respond to infection, which can make gum disease more difficult to control.
Smoking & Gum Disease
Smoking is an important risk factor for periodontal disease.
Tobacco can affect the gums and the tissues that support your teeth. It may also reduce the body’s ability to fight the bacteria associated with gum disease.
One important concern is that smoking can sometimes mask signs of gum disease. For example, reduced blood flow to the gums may make bleeding less noticeable even when periodontal disease is present.
This means smokers may have significant gum problems without experiencing obvious symptoms.
Regular dental and periodontal examinations are therefore particularly important for people who smoke.
Smoking & Tooth Loss
Advanced gum disease can damage the bone and tissues supporting your teeth.
Because smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease and can make treatment more difficult, it is also associated with an increased risk of tooth loss.
Maintaining good oral hygiene and receiving regular periodontal care can help protect your natural teeth.
Smoking & Oral Cancer
Tobacco use is a major risk factor for oral cancer.
Oral cancer can affect areas such as the:
- Lips
- Tongue
- Cheeks
- Gums
- Floor of the mouth
- Roof of the mouth
- Throat
Regular dental examinations can help your dental team look for unusual changes in the mouth.
Contact your dentist if you notice a sore, lump, patch, or other change that doesn’t heal or go away.
What About Vaping?
Vaping does not involve burning tobacco, but that does not mean it is harmless to your oral health.
Vaping products can expose the mouth to nicotine and other chemicals. Depending on the product and individual use, vaping may contribute to:
- Dry mouth
- Gum irritation
- Increased plaque accumulation
- Bad breath
- Changes in the oral environment
- Potential increased risk of gum problems
Research into the long-term oral health effects of vaping is still developing.
If you vape, tell your dental team so we can consider this as part of your oral health history.
Nicotine & Your Oral Health
Nicotine can affect blood vessels and may influence blood flow to the tissues in your mouth.
It can also contribute to dependence, making tobacco and nicotine products difficult to stop using.
If you’re considering quitting, there are resources and healthcare professionals who can help you develop a plan.
Quitting Can Benefit Your Smile
Stopping smoking and tobacco use can have significant benefits for your oral and overall health.
Quitting can help reduce your risk of:
- Gum disease
- Tooth loss
- Oral infections
- Oral cancer
- Staining and bad breath
- Complications with dental treatment
The sooner you stop, the sooner you can begin reducing the risks associated with tobacco use.
How We Can Help
If you smoke, use tobacco, or vape, you should still receive regular dental care.
At Scarborough Village Dental Care, we can:
- Monitor your teeth and gums
- Look for signs of periodontal disease
- Perform oral cancer examinations
- Identify changes in your mouth
- Provide personalized oral hygiene recommendations
- Help you understand how tobacco may be affecting your dental health
Our goal is to help you maintain your oral health without judgment.
Signs You Should Have Checked
Contact your dental team if you notice any unusual changes in your mouth, particularly if they persist.
These can include:
- A sore that doesn’t heal
- A lump or thickened area
- Red or white patches
- Persistent mouth pain
- Unexplained bleeding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Changes in your voice
- A persistent sore throat
- Numbness or tenderness
These symptoms can have many different causes and do not necessarily indicate oral cancer, but persistent changes should be evaluated.
Protect Your Oral Health
Whether you currently smoke, vape, use tobacco, or are working toward quitting, regular dental care remains important.
Protect your smile by:
- Brushing twice a day
- Cleaning between your teeth daily
- Attending regular dental examinations
- Having professional cleanings
- Avoiding tobacco when possible
- Seeking support if you’re ready to quit
- Reporting unusual changes in your mouth
- Take the Next Step
Your dental team is here to support your oral health at every stage.
If you smoke, use tobacco, or vape, let us know during your next visit. We can help monitor your oral health and discuss ways to reduce potential risks.
Meet Our Dental Team
Our Locations
Scarborough Village Dental Care
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Phone
Working Hours
- Monday: 9 AM - 7 PM Tuesday: 9 AM - 7 PMWednesday: 9 AM - 7 PMThursday: 9 AM - 6 PM Friday: 9 AM - 3 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM
Cliffcrest Family Dental
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Phone
Working Hours
- Monday: 8 AM - 8 PM Tuesday: 8 AM - 8 PMWednesday: 8 AM - 8 PMThursday: 8 AM - 8 PM Friday: 8 AM - 4 PM Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM