It's no secret that smoking, and really the general consumption of tobacco is terrible for your health; a habit that should be kicked immediately.
Here are some great facts from Web MD we hope will motivate you to quit or not even start in the first place!
- SMOKING LEADS TO DENTAL PROBLEMS, LIKE:
- Bad breath
- Tooth discoloration
- Inflammation of the salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth
- Increased build up of plaque and tartar on the teeth
- Increased loss of bone within the jaw
- Increased risk of leukoplakia, white patches inside the mouth
- Increased risk of developing gum disease, a leading cause of tooth loss
- Delayed healing process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment, or oral surgery
- Lower success rate of dental implant procedures
- Increased risk of developing oral cancer
- SMOKELESS TOBACCO IS NO SAFER!
Smokeless tobacco products (for example, snuff and chewing tobacco) contain at least 28 chemicals that have been shown to increase the risk of oral cancer and cancer of the throat and esophagus. In fact, chewing tobacco contains higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes, making it harder to quit than cigarettes. And one can of snuff delivers more nicotine than over 60 cigarettes.
Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from your teeth. Once the gum tissue recedes, your teeth roots become exposed, creating an increased risk of tooth decay. Exposed roots are also more sensitive to hot and cold or other irritants, making eating and drinking uncomfortable.
In addition, sugars, which are often added to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, can increase your risk for tooth decay. Studies have shown that chewing tobacco users were four times more likely than nonusers to develop tooth decay. Smokeless tobacco also typically contains sand and grit, which can wear down your teeth.
SURE YOU WANT TO PUT THAT GARBAGE IN YOUR MOUTH?
