How smoking can affect on gums and teeth?

Smoking can also make gum disease worse. People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. The gums are affected because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, so the infected gums don't heal. Smoking causes people to have more plaque and the gum disease to get worse more quickly than in non-smokers. Gum disease is still a major cause of tooth loss in adults.

Smoking will also stain dental bridges, dental implant restorations, and dentures. You have an increased risk of gum disease, and treatments will be less effective. Tobacco irritates gums, which can cause your gums to pull away from teeth and create pockets.

How is gum disease treated?

By visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and daily brushing and flossing can help treat early
gum disease (gingivitis).

Severe gum disease may require the followings to do:

• Deep cleaning below the gum line.
• Prescription mouth rinse or medicine.
• Surgery to remove tartar deep under the gums.
• Surgery to help heal bone or gums lost to periodontists. Your dentist may use small bits of bone to fill places where bone has been lost. Or your dentist may move tissue from one place in your mouth to cover exposed tooth roots.

If you are addicted to smoking or using spit tobacco, quitting will help your gums heal after treatment.