Nicotine and the other toxins found in these products can lead to several health defects such as oral cancer, lung cancer, periodontal disease (which is a leading cause of tooth sensitivity and tooth loss), and a slower healing process after tooth extractions or oral surgery. Being a tobacco user can also make you a poor candidate for certain dental treatments like implants or porcelain veneers. This is because smoking can make your teeth too weak to withstand certain procedures.

Less severe effects of tobacco use include bad breath, stained teeth and tongue, and a loss of taste and/or smell. Smokeless tobacco products have numerous negative effects on your health just as smoking products do. Researchers have found at least 28 cancer-causing chemicals in smokeless tobacco products. Your mouth and lungs aren’t the only areas susceptible to cancer; your voice box, esophagus, colon, and bladder are also at risk because of the toxins that are carried to these parts of your body through your blood.

Quitting is very important for your short term and long term health. The American Dental Association recommends these tips to help quit smoking:

– Set a date to quit and stick to it. Choose a “low stress” time to quit
– Enlist the support of your family, friends and co-workers.
– Ask your dentist or physician about nicotine replacement therapy for use in cessation attempts. Using these medicines can double your chances of quitting for good.
– Remove tobacco and tobacco paraphernalia from your home, office and car.
– Seek tobacco-free environments to curve your temptations.
– Exercise. It may make you feel better about yourself and your decision to quit smoking.
– When you crave a tobacco—exercise the 4 D’s:
**Delay—craving will pass in 5–10 minutes
**Drink water—it will help to wash the toxins from your body
**Do something else—distract yourself by being active.
**Deep breathing—deep inhalations and exhalations are relaxing.
– Anticipate problems and have a realistic plan to deal with challenges.
– Call 1-800-QUITNOW or go to www.smokefree.gov

Fluoride Toothpaste – Many toothpastes contain fluoride because it makes teeth more resistant to decay. You have a smaller chance of getting cavities and disease when using a fluoride formula over those that don’t contain it. If you are more vulnerable to decay, your dentist might recommend a higher concentration fluoride formula of toothpaste.

Tartar Control – This kind of toothpaste contains ingredients that help fight gum disease by reducing the presence of plaque. This is important because tartar can build up underneath the gum line, which gives more room for plaque to grow and may cause gingivitis. Aside from causing disease, tartar is more porous and can absorb stains very easily. This can give your teeth a dull, dark appearance especially if you smoke or drink coffee or tea.

Sensitive Teeth – Many brands make toothpaste that is specially formulated for sensitive teeth. It contains either strontium chloride or potassium nitrate which are the key ingredients that help sensitive teeth. This kind of toothpaste either builds up a barrier around your dentin so you won’t feel pain or it calms the tooth’s nerves to stop the sensitivity.

Baking Soda – These types of toothpaste use the power of baking soda to give your mouth a long lasting fresh feeling. Baking soda might also give a deeper clean than other kinds of toothpaste. But be careful when using it because prolonged use may cause gum irritation.

Tell your doctor what concerns you have about your teeth and what condition your teeth are in. He or she will recommend the best kind of toothpaste for your specific teeth.

Gingivitis is a big culprit for bleeding gums because your gums are inflamed and irritated. This can be treated by your dentist, so get it checked out immediately. Make sure to clean your teeth thoroughly so plaque build up does not occur, which can lead to more serious conditions such as periodontitis.

Brushing and flossing too hard can also cause bleeding gums. Use a softer bristled brush if this tends to happen to you. Harder bristles can irritate your gums and possibly cause them to swell. While flossing, make sure to gently glide the floss between your teeth and gum line. Do not shove the thread in with one motion. This can damage your gum tissue and cause more bleeding. Instead, use a zigzag motion to carefully and gently floss your teeth.

Other tips which can help prevent bleeding are: avoiding the use of tobacco, taking vitamins, and massaging your gums. Smoking dries the inside of your mouth and can make it vulnerable to sores or abrasions. Taking regular vitamins, especially vitamin K, can help prevent this condition and can maintain the strength of your gums. Massaging your gums gently while you brush can help strengthen them to prevent vulnerability.

If you wear dentures and suffer from bleeding gums, this could mean an improper fit. Your dentures can also cause sores in your mouth and on your gums. If this happens, talk with your dentist about getting new dentures or you might want to consider dental implants.

There are many other types of dental and gum infections that can cause bleeding. Make sure to go to your dentist at least twice a year to get a thorough examination of your teeth. This can help prevent other infections from occurring. No matter what causes your bleeding gums, talk with one of our dentists immediately. They will help you find out what the cause is and will treat your gums properly. Many other conditions can be prevented if you treat the initial problem first.

Brushing and flossing your teeth everyday is a must along with routine dental check-ups every 6 months. By avoiding your toothbrush or dentist, plaque starts to build up on your teeth and into your gums. Your gums become weak and may bleed when you brush your teeth. This can lead to gum disease and gingivitis. The bacteria that builds up in your gums can travel through your bloodstream into other parts of your body, increasing plaque in your arteries and damaging vessels and cells on the way.

Studies have shown that people with coronary artery disease have higher levels of periodontal bacteria in their system. This bacteria contains lipopolysaccharides, illness causing toxins. These toxins can also damage the cells that line the vessels, causing more harm to your body and heart health.

When we have oral infections, a certain protein is released into our bloodstream-C-reactive protein. Harvard researchers have studied the effects C-reactive proteins have on our bodies. They found that this protein is a good predictor of second heart attacks in cardiovascular patients. When the oral infection is treated, the levels of C-reactive protein decrease.

Smoking also increases the chances of oral bacteria entering the bloodstream. Smoking makes blood vessel linings stickier, which makes it easier for bacteria to stick to the vessel walls and build up. Smoking causes numerous health defects and cancers and should always be avoided.

Taking care of your mouth is an essential step in taking care of your body. With proper oral hygiene, your heart and body will benefit greatly. Your chances of heart disease will decrease and you’ll feel great with a beautiful smile, too.