Many people are finally beginning to realize that using tobacco, whether you smoke it or chew it, can cause oral cancer. Now people are finally acknowledging that tobacco use can result in gum disease as well, according to Dr. Mark Gustavson, a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin. Here, he discusses why tobacco use is such an enormous cause for concern in his profession.
Tobacco use and gum disease is a major concern for dentists and prediodontists. The use of tobacco constricts the blood vessels in the mouth, allowing for less blood flow to protect the gums and the bone surrounding the teeth. The less blood flow, the less likely that the body can heal and respond when plaque and build-up are present.
Chew tobacco, or spit tobacco, is also a concern when we talk about gum disease, because the patient will hold that tobacco in his gum tissue. Those types of tobacco actually have fiberglass in them, meant to actually cut the gum tissue to allow the nicotine to enter the blood system. This is traumatic to the gum tissue, as you can imagine, and over time can lead to a loss of tissue and bone.
Oral Cancer Concern
Both are also a large concern for oral cancers developing in the mouth. Not only do the tobacco and nicotine directly harm the tissue, but they also slow the healing process as well, as the body tries to compensate.
One of the largest problems dentists have is treating periodontal diseases in a patient who continues to smoke, no matter how hard we try to dissuade them that smoking is bad for their oral health, as well as their overall health in general.
Removing the Irritant
When we treat periodontal disease, we remove the irritant or build-up to allow the body to try and heal itself. If the patient continues to smoke or chew tobacco, however, his body will not respond as well to the dental or periodontal treatment.
Over time, the longer a patient smokes, the harder it is for the gum tissue to heal. So the healthiest thing a patient with gum disease can do is to quit smoking. By quitting smoking or chewing, the patient’s body will then be able to respond well to the dental treatments necessary to hold off periodontal disease.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
