Toothpaste, Mouthwash, and More to the Rescue

When most people think of the dangers of smoking or using illegal drugs, their minds turn to lung cancer, overdoses, mental breakdowns or rehab. Few of us stop to think about the many serious, chronic health problems caused by use of these products, particularly tooth and gum disease. Many believe that the use of toothpaste and mouthwash is enough. Regular use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, illegal narcotics and even some prescription medications can cause a wide variety of dental problems within a short period of time.

It's normal for a person's teeth to darken with age, as the outer layer of tooth enamel wears away. Darkened or stained teeth also frequently result from smoking, using smokeless tobacco, taking certain medications and regular drinking of coffee, tea or sodas. Bad breath also results when the mouth becomes dry, meaning no saliva is available to rinse the teeth and remove particles. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and over-the-counter medications, especially those that treat high blood pressure, depression, allergies, cancer and pain. It's also commonly experienced by people who smoke, chew tobacco, use illegal drugs or drink excessive amounts of alcohol.

Many people who use drugs such as heroin, percodan, oxycodone, Vicodin and codeine experience strong cravings for sugar, which in turn lead to extensive tooth decay. Plus, many drugs like Ecstacy, methamphetamines, cocaine and crack act as biological stimulants, making a person grind his/her teeth non-stop and resulting in severe damage to the teeth and gums. Dry mouth is another common side effect, with many drug users turning to sugared sodas to relieve the dryness. And, obviously, people who are high much of the time aren't very likely to brush or floss regularly in an effort to preserve their teeth. Having toothpaste and mouthwash available isn't the first thing on their minds.

It's surprising to many people to learn that chewing tobacco is cured in sugar. Not only that, but it's also very acidic, causing it to deeply etch the tooth enamel, just as a dentist would prior to using a cosmetic bonding agent. This chemical etching allows bacteria to penetrate the surface of the teeth. Permanent stains also result from dark brown tobacco juice that works its way into the damaged tooth surfaces. Finally, smokeless tobacco users (and smokers in general), have an impaired sense of smell and taste, causing them to eat more salty and sweet foods, which can further damage the teeth.

Cigarette, cigar and pipe smoking, meanwhile, is just as damaging to the teeth and gums, although the damage may occur over a period of years, rather than months. Smoking is well known to stain teeth and cause bad breath. Over time, however, its effects aren't just cosmetic - it contributes directly to periodontal disease, in which injured gums pull away from the teeth, exposing the roots and creating abscessed pockets of infection. If not countered by regular brushing and flossing, or use of a penetrating cleaning product such as OraMD®, or toothpaste and mouthwash then jawbone deterioration and tooth loss are the inevitable result. When choosing a good toothpaste, natural ingredients may help as well.