Can Smoking Cause Receding Gums?

Smoking is a bad habit that leads to a variety of health complications, including receding gums. Smoking and tobacco products can cause receding gums to occur, mainly due to the layer of plaque that this substance adds to your teeth. You can repair receding gums, but if you are chewing tobacco or smoking, it may be harder to do that. It is best to take action as soon as you notice the receding gums, though, since this condition, when left unchecked, can cause a number of health problems.

Why Tobacco Matters

Tobacco is a substance found in cigarettes and other products like it. Those who use this type of substance are likely to develop a thick, sticky substance that covers the teeth and the gum line This substance is called plaque. Plaque is hard to remove and is nearly impossible to remove completely through tooth brushing alone. And, because it is hard to remove, it is more likely that people who have this condition are likely to develop gum disease. Gum disease, in return, causes receding gums.

What Happens

Take a closer look at what happens if you do not stop the use of tobacco and repair receding gums:

• Tobacco causes the buildup of plaque on the teeth. Bacteria flourish in this area.
• The bacteria then attack the gums, especially right around the edge of the gum line and the gum tissue.
• The gum tissue becomes infected which leads to more complications, including the gum tissue dying off. This leads to receding gums, which pull away from the teeth.
• This opens up more spaces between the gum tissue and the teeth, as well as the bone structure holding your teeth in place. More bacteria invades this area and that means more gum disease.
• The bacteria build up until the level is so high that the bacteria is able to eat at the bone itself. In many cases, you will begin to lose your teeth at this point. This condition is called periodontitis.

You can repair receding gums even if you smoke. To do so, you will need to increase the amount of dental care you get from a dentist. You will also need to improve the quality of the dental hygiene you get at home, by improving how frequently and how you brush your teeth. Practice the OraMD 4 Step Oral Hygiene Program to help rid the mouth of bacteria, and to promote oral health and hygiene.