According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), 34.1 million people smoke in the United States, which is 14% of the population. Smoking causes many diseases and reduces users’ overall health. Smoking impacts your teeth and gums in several ways including yellow teeth, plaque, receding gums, and more.
Keep reading to learn how smoking affects your oral health.
Periodontitis
One of the diseases that smoking causes is periodontitis, a serious gum infection that can cause tooth loss and affect overall health.
Smokers are at higher risk of gum disease because smoking causes the following:
Dry Mouth – Smoking creates a dry environment in the mouth, which makes harmful bacteria more easily attach to your teeth and under your gums.
Weakened Immune Response – Smoking weakens your immune systems, which makes it harder for your body to fight the harmful bacteria that cause gum infections like periodontal disease.
Poor Circulation – Smoking causes vasoconstriction, which is a constriction of the blood vessels. Gum tissue needs good circulation to stay healthy and resist infection and gum recession.
Smokers are three to six times more likely to develop gum disease or periodontal disease, which can attack roots and cause teeth to fall out.
Yellow Teeth (Nicotine Stains)
Similar to your skin, your teeth have pores. These pores absorb the things you eat, drink, or in this case, smoke. Nicotine and tar in tobacco have qualities that allow them to stain very easily. Mixed with your saliva, smoking or tobacco use will cause yellow or brown stains to develop quickly. The stains caused by smoking seep deeper into the enamel, making them more difficult to remove.
Plaque and Tartar Buildup
The chemicals in tobacco products affect the way saliva flows through your mouth. One of saliva’s main functions is to protect tooth enamel and prevent decay. If not removed daily, it can harden into tartar, also known as calculus, a substance so hard it requires a professional cleaning to remove.
Oral Cancer
Smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, throat, or lips. About 90% of people who were diagnosed with one of these forms of cancer used tobacco products. Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop oral cancers.
Trying to quit smoking?
Smoking and tobacco use has a plethora of negative effects on your health, but your dentist isn’t here to judge your lifestyle habits. Instead, they’ll be happy to offer solutions and helpful advice to assist you in quitting and restoring better oral health!
Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of developing gum disease. If you already have periodontal disease, being a non-smoker increases your chances of stability after periodontal treatment.
Many dental professionals are even specially trained to help guide you to the right resources for smoking cessation. So, next time you come in for a dental visit, ask how Rother Dental can help you become smoke-free!
Your oral health is so important because of the direct connection it has too many other parts of your body’s well-being. When something goes wrong with your oral health, you’ll want to know what signs to look out for. That being said, if you are regularly brushing, flossing, and making visits to the dentist then most of these issues will be discovered and taken care of quickly and efficiently.
Signs To Watch Out For:
Bad Breath lasting for an extended period of time can indicate a cavity, gingivitis, or worse depending on its level of potency.
Tooth Pain in one or more teeth one of the most common symptoms of a cavity
Tooth Stains – Staining on teeth appears as distinct white spots and usually becomes darker and more prevalent as decay worsens.
A Hole or Pit in Your Tooth – Stained areas of teeth can eventually deteriorate from a spot to an actual hole in your tooth if left untreated. Though not always in a visible spot, you may be able to feel the hole or feel extra sensitivity in the affected area.
These signs usually only involve a cavity or the beginning of gingivitis. There are still some more serious conditions to look out for. If you experience any of these symptoms we recommend scheduling an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible. The earlier these more serious issues are caught, the easier and less costly it will be to repair your smile.
Some More Serious Signs To Look For:
Lasting oral ulcers, sores, or other distinctly sensitive areas of the mouth which do not go away within the span of a couple of weeks.
Bleeding, Swollen, or Painful gums after brushing or flossing.
Extreme sensitivity to hot and cold foods that weren’t present before.
If you contain multiple of the symptoms listed above or they are accompanied by a fever, lasting pain, or severe swelling, we suggest scheduling an emergency appointment to resolve your discomfort and help create a better quality of life for you.
Issues Linked To Poor Oral Health
Conditions Linked To Worsening Oral Health- Some medical issues can lead to a greater chance of poor oral health. Among these include obesity & eating disorders, diabetes, STDs, osteoporosis, and Alzheimer’s Disease. Be sure to communicate with your dentist if any of these conditions affect you so they can help craft the best oral health plan to best suit your needs.
Conditions Oral Health Causes/Escalates – Some diseases and conditions have been found to have a direct correlation with negative oral health. Among these include heart disease, high blood pressure, pneumonia, and pregnancy complications. This is why it is so important to try and keep your oral health up to par.
Pro Tips To Preventing Oral Health Issues
Brush And Floss: Twice a day for brushing, once for flossing. This is common advice but is also the ultimate way to prevent any type of oral health issue.
Decrease Sugar Intake: While sugar itself isn’t inherently bad, the bacteria that forms in your mouth when sugar is consumed is.
Avoid tobacco products
Drink plenty of water: Fluoridated water is recommended for optimal tooth protection.
Seek Professional Dental Care: As with brushing and flossing, making regularly scheduled visits to the dentist a part of your routine (even if it’s only twice a year)
Feel free to contact Rother Dental with any questions or to schedule an appointment!
Brushing and flossing regularly is important, but you need the right materials to really benefit from your good habits.
There are certain characteristics that you should look for in whatever toothbrush you choose, regardless of whether it is manual or powered.
Size: The best toothbrush head for you should allow you easy access to all surfaces of your teeth. For most adults, a toothbrush head a half-inch wide and one-inch tall will be the easiest to use and the most effective.
Bristle: A soft-bristled toothbrush is always the safest choice. Medium and firm bristled brushes can damage the gums, root surface, and enamel.
Expert Recommendation: Ask your dentist for a recommendation or look for manual or powered toothbrushes that have earned the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Approval.
Is an electric toothbrush better?
As long as you clean your teeth regularly using proper brushing techniques, you should be able to reduce plaque build-up and keep your gums healthy with either a manual or powered toothbrush. An electric toothbrush may have your mouth feeling cleaner but they are much more costly than manual brushes. Talk to your dentist to determine the best option for you.
What toothpaste should I be using?
First things first, you’ll want to choose a flavor you like. If you’re not thrilled with the taste, you’ll be much less likely to brush regularly. The American Dental Association stamp of approval is always something you should look for whether its toothpaste or a toothbrush. Everything else is a matter of personal preference, it comes down to how well the toothpaste cleans your teeth and how fresh it makes your mouth feel.
If you have sensitive teeth, you have a couple of options. There are over-the-counter sensitive toothpastes or you could get a sensitive toothpaste prescription from your dentist, however that can be more costly. Whitening toothpastes can increase sensitivity so you should avoid toothpastes that contain whitening ingredients if you have sensitivity.
Remember using good toothpaste is an essential part of your daily dental care routine. Toothpaste enhances the brushing and cleaning power of your toothbrush. Be sure to ask your dentist what products will work best for you and your own individual oral health needs.
Keeping your oral health up to par is important for keeping your teeth healthy and preventing certain infections and diseases that affect your gums such as gingivitis. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease identified by inflamed gingiva and possible irritation and redness.
Your gingiva is the area surrounding the base of your teeth. When gingivitis becomes present in your gums, it is extremely important to start getting treatment for it as soon as possible. This is because while it is a mild disease, it can lead to a more severe gum disease called periodontitis as well as increased susceptibility to severe tooth decay.
Causes and Life Cycle of Gingivitis:
Gingivitis stems from poor oral hygiene. When bacteria in your mouth sits for an extended period of time plaque begins to form. As plaque sits in your mouth, it goes through a process of hardening over the course of a few days. During this time it migrates and sits in your gums and turns into tartar/calculus. Tartar is a breeding ground for bacteria and is very hard to get rid of, requiring a professional cleaning to fully remove. If you let tartar sit in your gum line for an extended period of time, your gingiva will begin to get irritated and your condition will worsen until it is removed. This is when gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis occurs. Eventually, tooth loss can occur.
What are Some Signs of Gingivitis?
Since gingivitis is a disease that affects the gums, you want to examine your gum area to find signs that you may be developing the condition. For reference, gums in good condition encase your teeth tightly, have a firm texture, and are a pale pinkish color.
Here’s what to look out for:
Tender, Soft gums
Swollen or Puffy Looking Gums
Gums with a deeper red color
Gums easily bleeding when brushing/flossing
Noticeably receding gum line
How can I Prevent it?
Many factors can lead to gingivitis. Unfortunately, some are out of your control, but many of the risk factors you can manage yourself. Here are some of the more common causes that affect gingivitis development:
Smoking / Chewing Tobacco
Poor Nutrition, especially a lack of vitamin C
Misaligned teeth or improper dental work
Certain drugs, especially those used for epilepsy and high blood pressure, among other conditions
Old Age – naturally our teeth break down easier as we get older
Hormonal Changes, especially in those who are pregnant or on certain types of birth control
Genetics – some people are naturally born to be more susceptible to gingivitis
Treatment for Gingivitis:
As mentioned earlier, the sooner you get treatment the easier it is to improve your oral health and can prevent your gingivitis from turning to periodontitis. Gingivitis occurs in roughly 75% of Americans, so you are likely to experience it at some point in your life. This also means that your dentist and their team are trained to deal with the disease through treatment catered to your needs. When treating gingivitis the goal is to regain healthy gums and stop the progression of the disease.
Your dentist may prescribe you some form of medication to help treat gingivitis. Examples of what they may treat you with include:
Bone & Tissue Grafts may be necessary if the gum line has worsened to an unhealable state
You can discuss many surgical and non-surgical options with your dentist to see which one is the best for your specific needs depending on what stage you are at with gingivitis. Feel free to contact Rother Dental with any questions or to schedule an appointment!
Gum Disease Patients: Can’t I Just Get a Regular Dental Cleaning?
Serving families in the communities of Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg since 1974 with excellent Dental Care
You may have heard from your dentist that it’s important to change your toothbrush after fighting a cold or another sickness. We recommend that you do change your toothbrush after getting sick, as a safety precaution no matter the severity of the illness. Even if the likelihood is low, germs attached to the brush will sit, multiply, and migrate to create a greater chance of you contracting something again.
VIRAL INFECTIONS:
Viruses need a host to replicate themselves using the host’s DNA. If they are unable to find a host, they are unable to survive. Viruses infect a person systematically, with the virus spreading throughout the body. Examples of viral infections include influenza, measles, AIDS, and COVID-19. Though it is possible, viral infections like the cold and flu are not likely to come back due to our bodies’ capabilities of developing antibodies to viruses. Your toothbrush is less likely to be contaminated after experiencing one of these infections. It is not impossible, however, as there are multiple strains of a virus circulating.
BACTERIAL INFECTIONS:
Bacterial infections are when your body becomes contaminated with harmful bacteria either on or inside you. These infections are different from viruses in that they are usually larger and able to multiply on their own. They are living organisms that are even able to make their own food and move on top of reproducing. Bacteria are usually localized to one specific area in the body. Examples include food poisoning, strep throat, and pneumonia. This type of infection is more likely to be able to reinfect you because bacteria can sit on your toothbrush for an extended period of time, even after a prescribed antibodies cycle is completed.
One of the most important distinctions to remember between bacteria and viruses is that antibiotic drugs when used correctly will usually kill off bacteria but are unable to have an effect on viruses.
CONCLUSION
The Bottom Line: We highly recommend you change your toothbrush after a cold, even if it wasn’t bad, as a safety precaution. You should also change your toothbrush every 3-4 months. The ADA recommends replacing your toothbrush every couple of months since the bristles start deteriorating and the effectiveness of brushing gets worse. Contact our office if you have any questions!
Discomfort from tooth pain is not a very pleasurable experience. But where is that pain actually coming from? It is important to investigate further. Tooth pain can stem from a variety of underlying causes. Once you know what the main cause of your aching is, you can better decide how to produce a solution to your issue. Below we have laid out some simple home remedies you can carry out yourself.
It is important to note: If pain and/or discomfort is lasting for more than 2 days we highly encourage you to contact your dentist. They can help give further advice or information for your specific need.
Dentist Recommended Home Remedies
Rinse Your Mouth With Salt Water or Hydrogen Peroxide
Mom’s favorite home remedy for a sore mouth is definitely a helpful first step in relieving pain, if not stopping it entirely. This remedy simply involves mixing salt into warm water and swishing it in your mouth for around a minute. Then just spit it out (try not to swallow). This is because of salt water’s natural composition as a disinfectant. Helping with the reduction of inflammation, soothing open wounds, and loosening food molecules stuck in between teeth.
Another excellent rinsing option to help relieve the pain in your mouth is hydrogen peroxide. Be especially careful not to swallow this as too much in your system can have dangerous side effects.
The Cold Compress
Another classic home remedy that actually works is applying an ice pack to your area of pain for a cold compress. This can greatly help alleviate pain, inflammation, and swelling through the constriction of blood vessels in the applied area. The optimal time to apply the cold compress is around 15-20 minutes at a time.
Medicine
Other than the aforementioned home remedies, one other method of reducing tooth pain is using pain-relievingmedicine. This can be found over the counter. If the pain is bad enough to need more than that, you should definitely consider scheduling an emergency dentist appointment.
What Is The Best Way To Avoid Tooth Pain In The First Place?
The development of toothaches are usually preventable. There are many easy ways you can do your best to stop them from happening. We’ve outlined a quick list below:
Brush Your Teeth: We know this is a given, but some people simply don’t brush. If you haven’t yet today, we encourage you to the first chance you get. Consistent brushing is an essential key to keeping your teeth clean and healthy. This will prevent gum disease and cavities from infiltrating your mouth and causing pain.
Floss: This is another one that dentists and parents often preach. Flossing can help get out the extra gunk that may not be removed after swishing with salt water or hydrogen peroxide.
Visit The Dentist Twice A Year: It is recommended to visit your dentist twice a year so that you can be checked for underlying dental problems that may be developing. If a problem does arise, be sure to get it covered ASAP.
Contact us at Rother Dental today, we’re here to help with any of your dental needs.
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Creating Natural Beauty With Extraordinary Smiles
Serving families in the communities of Camp Hill and Mechanicsburg since 1974 with excellent Dental Care
Thinking about visiting the dentist doesn’t have to cause anxiety! At Verber Family Dentistry we make it our priority to give you the best experience possible.
From fillings, bonding, chipped and cracked tooth repair, dental crowns, inlays and onlays and more, our restorative care team can get your smile back in shape!
We want our patients to be comfortable and free of TMJ pain, and Sleep Apnea Complications. We can offer these services as well as dental implants, bridges, and dentures to offer you better dental comfort.
"Very friendly and very clean office. The setting is very relaxing for those who might have a bit of anxiety about dental visits. The waiting room has huge windows over looking the river and trees and it’s just really nice while waiting to be seen. The staff is also extremely friendly and answered any questions we had and made sure there was no confusion of services needed. I recommend this practice 100%."
Norma
"Everyone at Verber is pleasant and looks to take good care of patients. Danny was my hygienist and she did a very thorough cleaning and observed a developing issue. Dr. Alfano did a nice job of explaining the issue and treatment recommended. The front desk assistant was very helpful in scheduling the next appointment and discussing insurance coverage. They schedule appointments for my husband and I at the same time, which is very convenient. We are very pleased with the Verber practice."
Linda
"My experience at Verber Family Dentistry was very good. My hygienist was very thorough with my exam and cleaning, and was quite personable as well. I had two minor issues that were resolved quickly by my dentist and her assistant. Both were very pleasant to deal with. I highly recommend Verber Family Dentistry!"
Michael
"Love this place! They make you feel really comfortable. Best dentist experience I've had. I feel like they actually pay attention to the questionnaire you fill out as a new patient. I am a "big picture" type of patient and I believe they honor that."
Richard
"I have never had a bad experience, and have never been so excited about a dentist office — ha! Personable & professional staff, beautiful views, comfortable environment. I’d recommend to anyone & everyone! Even my husband who avoided the dentist for 7 years had a SMILE on his face after his appointment! And my 2 year old daughter enjoys the pediatric office. Very thankful to have found Verber!"
Brooke
"I am beyond grateful for my experience today with the Verber team. I have been apprehensive to visit a dentist for years due to personal insecurities and worries about my smile. From the first few minutes in the chair, Ashley made sure I understood the process and reassured me that it was a safe space. She walked me through each step and checked in frequently to make sure that I was okay. Her grace and patience was appreciated beyond measure, in an especially vulnerable time. We even shared some real laughs together! Thank you, Verber. Looking forward to working with you further. Every employee made a difference. From check in to check out."
Kimberly
"Verber by far is the best dentist I have been to. From the amazingly clean facility, compassionate and friendly staff, and the techs and dentist explain all the options you have for your dental health. Your smile is the 1st thing people see, why not let the profesional staff at Verber Family Dentistry help you preserve that smile!!"
Anthony
Truly a great experience. I hate the dentist, but everyone from the receptionist to the hygienist and the Dentist were all wonderful and made me feel at ease explaining everything that was happening. Highly recommend!
Lora
"Very nice staff, from arrival until my appt was over. Every employee I dealt with was super nice & very knowledgable. I was very nervous about this appt and they put me at ease every step of the way. I need extensive dental work & was really worried about having it done & they calmed my nerves and I know that they will work with me to help keep my nervousness low. I would 100% recommend this dental practice to anyone looking for a new dentist."
Peggy
"I have been a client/patient at the Verber Family Denistry for 15+ years. The quality of care and service is beyond fantastic. I am thankful to all the staff and doctors that provide such kind and caring attention to how they accomodate and treat their clients. This is pinnacle service and it should be noted and shared. Please accept my sincere thank you to you and all the staff that have made your office the best and a one of a kind facility. Keep up the good work, because it matters. You guys are much appreciated. #clientforlife."
From our state of the art dental technology to our breath taking view of the Conodoguinet Creek, we make sure you have the best experience possible.
Located in camp hill
From the very moment you contact our team at our Camp Hill dentist office for a dentist appointment, we will make sure you receive a dental experience that’s unmatched in Central PA. Our team is dedicated to providing extraordinary care that is personalized to every patient, so you will feel the full benefits of stress-free and custom-tailored dental treatment during every visit to our Camp Hill dental office.
