Smoking and Gum Disease

What is Gum Disease?

Periodontal or gum disease is an infection of the gingiva (gums) and can affect the underlying bone structure that supports your teeth. In complicated untreated cases, it can make your teeth fall out. Smoking is the primary cause of severe gum disease in the United States.

Gum disease starts when bacteria (germs) that is present in plaque sticks to your teeth and gets under your gums due to neglect or improper brushing.

When gum disease is left untreated it can get very severe causing your gums to pull away from your teeth and form spaces that get infected. This is called periodontitis. The bone and tissue that hold your teeth in place can break down, and your teeth may become mobile and may need to be extracted

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease:

• Red or swollen gums
• Tender or bleeding gums
• Painful chewing
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Receding gums

Smoking and Gum Disease:

In smokers the immune system is weakened and the body has to work extra hard to fight off a gum infection. Once gum damage has occurred, healing is also delayed in smokers.

The following oral diseases and conditions are caused by, or can be seen in a smoker’s mouth:

• Staining of teeth and dental fillings
• Reduced ability to smell and taste
• Bad breath
• Sensitivity
• Smoker’s palate. This is a condition in which the palate becomes white and a number of little spots project from the surface, characterized by small red spots at the center that mark the opening of the duct of the gland
• Smoker’s melanosis: this is associated with cigarette and pipe smoking, and is seen as brown spots inside the mouth
• Coated tongue: a colored layer covering the tongue composed of mainly food particles, bacteria, and debris from epithelium in the mouth.
• Oral thrush: this is a kind of fungal infection that occurs in the mouth
• Gum disease which can progress to periodontitis.
• Tooth decay (dental caries)
• Failure of dental implants
• Oral pre cancer and cancer.

How to prevent gum disease?

You can help avoid gum disease by practicing good dental habits such as:

• Brushing your teeth twice a day.
• Flossing often to remove plaque.
• Regular dental checkups and professional cleanings.
• Avoid smoking and if you smoke then quit.

How to treat Gum Disease?

Regular dental visits and professional cleaning every 6 months can help detect early gingivitis. Brushing with a good quality tooth paste that is specific for smokers is beneficial as well as flossing daily.

But if gingivitis becomes severe then the treatment required may need:

• Deep cleaning below the gum line also known as root planing.
• A mouth rinse containing chlorhexidane which is antibacterial.
• Surgery to remove tartar deep under the gums which cannot be cleaned using conventional cleaning methods.
• If bone loss has occurred and gums have receded then surgery is required to correct that.

If you smoke or consume tobacco, quitting will help your gums heal after treatment. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association found that mouth lesion leukoplakia completely resolved within 6 weeks of quitting in 97.5% of patients who used smokeless tobacco products.

Toothpaste:

It is advisable to use a fluoride toothpaste that consists of anti-bacterial properties as well as has a fresh minty flavor so it fights off bad breath and leaves you feeling refreshed and clean as well as prevents sensitivity in smokers.

What if there was a toothpaste that had all natural ingredients and also had all the above mentioned properties without any chemicals or toxic ingredients.

Such a tooth paste would be ideal.

SprinJene Natural toothpaste does just that!
Its Fresh Boost formula tastes great and leaves your mouth with a fresh feeling, but the benefits don't stop there. Sprinjene Natural Toothpaste Sensitivity Relief tooth paste comes in fluoride and fluoride free types as well.

This magnificent range of toothpaste features a patented formula with zinc and black seed oil.
Together, these ingredients help to:

• Provide relief from dry mouth
• May help to control the growth of tartar
• Deliver long-lasting oral freshness
• Fight gingivitis (gum disease)
• May reduce gum inflammation