Tobacco and vaping: the real risks to your teeth

Tobacco: much more than a yellow stain

The visible effects

We all know someone who smokes and has yellow or stained teeth. It's true that aesthetically, it's one of the first consequences... But it's not the only one.

Indeed, tobacco promotes:

• Plaque buildup and tartar formation

• Bad breath

• An alteration of taste and smell

But that's only the surface of the problem...

The real dangers: below the gum line

Nicotine reduces the supply of oxygen to your tissues and weakens your immune defenses.

In practical terms, this promotes:

• Increased risk of gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)

• Bleeding gums when brushing

• Without treatment → gum recession, receding gums, and unfortunately... tooth loss

Smoking is a vicious cycle: the more you smoke, the weaker your gums become, and the more they bleed. For example, healing is slower. After a tooth extraction, a cleaning, or an implant placement, smokers heal more slowly than non-smokers. It is therefore important to tell your dentist if you smoke regularly!

Mouth and throat cancer

Tobacco doesn't just yellow teeth. The toxic substances it contains constantly damage the tissues of the mouth. Over time, some lesions can develop into cancer if they are not detected early. Regular checkups with your dentist allow these abnormalities to be identified at an early stage.

And what about electronic cigarettes?

It's less harmful than a regular cigarette, but it's not harmless either.

Unlike tobacco, vaping does not produce combustion. You do not inhale tar or carbon monoxide. For someone who smokes, switching completely to e-cigarettes is already a significant reduction in risk.

But be warned: we don't know everything about vaping yet!

Current research shows that some vapers report:

• Dry mouth (an annoying problem on a daily basis)

• Gum irritation

• Changes in the bacterial balance of the mouth

• Possible increase in dental plaque and cavities

Key points to remember

Need help quitting?

You are definitely not alone. Several resources are available to support you:

• Your doctor or pharmacist can prescribe suitable nicotine replacement therapies.

• Tobacco cessation specialist : specialized monitoring and psychological support