Think smoking only affects your lungs? Think again. Your mouth is also a major target, especially when it comes to gum disease.

Understanding Gum Disease

Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, starts with bacteria in plaque and tartar buildup. This can lead to:

• Gingivitis: Early stage with red, swollen, and bleeding gums.
• Periodontitis: Advanced stage where gums pull away, forming infected pockets. This can break down the bone and tissues holding your teeth, leading to loose teeth and potential tooth loss.

The Sneaky Link: Smoking Masks the Warning Signs

Here’s a scary fact: smoking can hide the typical signs of gum disease. You might not notice the redness, swelling, or bleeding gums that would usually alert a non-smoker to a problem. This means gum disease can progress silently and become much more severe before you even realize it.

Smoking significantly increases your risk of developing gum disease because it weakens your immune system, making it harder for your body to fight off gum infections.

Impairs healing: Once gum damage occurs, smoking makes it difficult for your gums to recover.

What This Means for Smokers:

Double the risk: You’re twice as likely to get gum disease compared to non-smokers.

The More you smoke, the higher the risk: The number of cigarettes you smoke directly impacts your chances of developing gum disease.

Treatment is less effective: Gum disease treatments may not work as well for smokers.

Treating Gum Disease

While early gum disease (gingivitis) can often be managed with professional cleaning and good home care, more severe periodontitis may require deep cleaning below the gum line.

Prescription mouthwash or medication and/or surgery.

Unfortunately, these treatments may be less successful in smokers due to the compromised healing process.

Beyond Gum Disease: Other Oral Health Risks of Smoking

It’s not just gum disease. Smoking also contributes to:

• Tooth Loss: By accelerating gum disease and damaging supporting bone.
• Oral Cancer: Smokers are significantly more likely to develop cancer in the mouth and throat. Quitting dramatically reduces this risk over time.
• Bad Breath and Stained Teeth: Nicotine and tar cause persistent bad breath and stubborn yellow or brown stains.
• Impaired Taste and Smell: Smoking can dull your senses.
• Delayed Healing: Recovery after dental procedures can be slower.

Thinking About Your Smile? Despite the difficulty, quitting smoking offers the most significant protection for your oral health and overall well-being.

Need support to quit?

• Talk to your health professional : They can offer advice and support.
• Contact Quitline: 0800 778 778
• Visit the website: https://quit.org.nz/