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You’ve likely heard that smoking increases risk of lung cancer and emphysema. But did you realize that your cigarette habit also has an impact on your smile? Chronic smokers suffer from increased dental problems that make their smiles unsightly. Understanding how smoking affects your oral health may provide the momentum you need to kick the habit for good.

Cosmetic Changes Associated with Smoking

Cigarettes contain more than 600 ingredients that, when lit, create in excess of 4,000 chemicals. Of these chemicals, many are known carcinogens while others have been shown to have serious negative effects on health. The nicotine and tar in tobacco products are absorbed by the enamel of your teeth. The result is yellowed teeth that look unsightly; with heavy smoking, your teeth may eventually turn nearly brown in color.

The chemicals in cigarettes and cigars also cause your teeth to become less clean. Smoking is associated with a build-up of tartar and plaque on the surface of your teeth. Over time, this increases your risk of developing cavities and other oral health problems. Furthermore, pursing your lips while smoking leads to wrinkles around your mouth, which detracts from your smile.

More Serious Dental Conditions

In addition to having unsightly teeth, smoking can cause serious health conditions. Because of the carcinogens in cigarettes, smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral cancer, which can be deadly. Smokers are also more likely to develop gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss. You may experience an increased loss of bone within your jaw, which will cause significant problems later in life.

Treatment for Smoking-Related Oral Health Problems

Dr. Chad Vanourny and our team at Catawba Valley Dental Care will tell you that the best defense against smoking-related oral health problems is to ditch your nicotine habit. By decreasing the amount of nicotine and other chemicals you consume, you can decrease your risk of oral cancer and gum disease. Remember to mention your smoking habit when you’re at our Charlotte office. We frequently treat smokers and can recommend smoking cessation programs to help you quit. Dr. Chad Vanourny can also advise you about whitening treatments and gum disease prevention activities that ensure you’ll have a beautiful smile for years to come.

At Catawba Valley Dental Care we feel children should be treated idealistically and adults realistically. During adolescence is a good time to fix not only the teeth but any facial or jaw discrepancies; this often requires brackets and wires. However, adults often have specific goals in mind and may prefer to undergo treatment that is more aesthetic, like Invisalign®.

Most often, our Charlotte dental patients consider orthodontic treatment because they have:

• A bad bite or malocclusion, causing teeth to fit together incorrectly
• Teeth that are crowded or spaced apart, possibly leading to tooth decay or gum disease
• Abnormal jaw pain or pressure that is caused by crooked teeth
• A desire for a healthier mouth and a more confident smile

Orthodontics for Adults vs. Orthodontics for Children

The main difference between treating adults and children or teens is that the jawbones of younger patients are still developing as well as teeth that are still erupting. Other differences include:

• Gum or bone loss (periodontal disease) — Adults are more likely than children to experience gum recession or even bone loss due to gingivitis or advanced periodontal disease. Patients with straighter teeth are less likely to get gum disease because straight teeth are easier to keep clean.
• Worn or missing teeth — Over time teeth can become worn down and shift into different positions that can only be corrected with orthodontic care. Missing teeth can cause other teeth to shift and tilt, creating a bad bite and increasing the possibility of gum disease.
• Incomplete orthodontic treatment as a teen — Many adults received some orthodontic treatment as a child or teen, but never completed their treatment. As an adult, they choose to complete their orthodontic treatment to achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they always wanted.

Types of Braces in Charlotte, NC

Here at Catawba Valley Dental Care, we understand your desire to have a smile that is as beautiful as it is healthy.

Traditional Braces

Traditional braces use metal brackets and wires used to straighten and align teeth. Traditional braces offer more control and fine tuning especially in very difficult cases. Patients with jaw discrepancies, cross bites, and poor occlusion often are better candidates for traditional brackets and wires. If compliance may be an issue, traditional braces should be selected over removable appliances, as they require a specific amount of patient commitment.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, like Invisalign®, work but fitting securely to your teeth and progressively moving the teeth through a series of aligners. Clear aligners provide superior esthetics during treatment and also enable the patient to complete hygiene easier. Aligners can be removed by the patient to eat, drink, and clean their teeth, keeping them clean and healthy without all the debris caught and retained by traditional braces.

The effects of bad oral habits are something our team sees all too often. You might have bad oral habits that stem from childhood, possibly because your parents did not know about proper oral care or force you to follow it. Or, your bad habits could develop gradually, like slacking on your frequency of brushing.

Bad oral habits can lead to tooth decay, gum disease, and consequences such as losing teeth and experiencing bad pain. They may be deeply ingrained and easy to continue, but you can break them with a little effort. Focus on developing good habits to replace your current ones, and eating a diet that is healthy for your teeth.

Replace Bad Habits with Good

Breaking your bad oral habits may not be as difficult as you expect when you focus instead on developing good habits. These new good habits can naturally replace your bad habits.

• Brush your teeth after each meal or at least twice a day.
• Visit a dentist every six months for an exam and a professional cleaning.
• Floss your teeth every day.

These good habits may not seem natural, so you can take steps to make sure you follow these behaviors. For example, make a daily checklist with your scheduled sessions of brushing and flossing your teeth and using mouthwash. You can also set a timer to be sure you brush your teeth for the full recommended two minutes.

Eat Properly

Poor eating habits can be detrimental to your teeth. A common mistake is to let food, especially carbohydrates such as starch and sugar, stay on your teeth for a long time. You can stop doing this by rinsing your mouth with water after each meal or snack. Also, avoid candy and soft drinks between meals, since the sugar sits on your teeth.

A healthy diet provides the nutrients you need to maintain strong teeth. The mineral calcium is key for healthy teeth, so try to get your three daily servings of high-calcium foods, such as low-fat milk or yogurt, canned fish, or fortified soy or almond milk. Also include vegetables and fruits, which have a high water content.

If you need more tips about breaking your bad oral health habits, contact our Charlotte office and speak with Dr. Chad Vanourny or a member of our team.