I Am a Smoker—How Do I Maintain My Oral Health? 

If you smoke, maintaining good oral health requires extra attention—and for good reasons. Tobacco use significantly increases the risk of several dental problems. Some include: 

• Stained teeth: Tar and nicotine in tobacco quickly discolours your teeth, leaving behind yellow or brown stains that give you an old, dingy appearance.
• Bad breath: Smoking dries out the mouth, creating a lingering odour that causes chronic bad breath.
• Gum disease: Smoking reduces blood flow to the gums, making it harder for your body to fight infections. This significantly raises your risk for periodontal disease.
• Slower healing: If you’ve had dental work like extractions, implants, or grafting, smoking can delay healing and increase the risk of complications.
• Oral cancer: Smoking is one of the leading causes of oral cancer—an often aggressive disease that can go unnoticed in its early stages. To put into perspective, smokers are 10 times more likely to develop mouth cancer than non-smokers. 

If you are a first-time patient, it’s important to let us know that you are a smoker so that we can tailor your treatment. However, some fail to volunteer this information, but the dentist can still tell if you are a smoker from your breath or by looking at your teeth.

Quitting is the best thing you can do for your smile, but it’s easier said than done. Tobacco contains nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Nicotine is one of the reasons it’s not easy to give up on tobacco use. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy smile if you smoke.  

Your trusted Salem dentist, Dr. Shruti Jadeja, gives expert tips for smokers and ex-smokers. 

• Practice excellent oral hygiene: Brush at least twice daily and floss daily to keep plaque buildup under control. You can use an electric toothbrush with toothpaste made specifically for smokers. Also, clean your tongue using a tongue cleaner and use an antibacterial mouthwash at least twice daily.
• Stay hydrated: Smoking can dry out your mouth, so drink plenty of water to help maintain healthy saliva levels.
• Regular dental visits: See your dentist in Salem, Oregon, at least twice annually—or more frequently if recommended. These visits are essential for dental cleanings and early detection of dental problems. 
• Get screened for oral cancer: Ask your dentist for mouth cancer screenings to detect this condition at its earliest, most treatable stage. 
• Self-checkups: Regularly check your mouth for swollen gums, persistent sores, bumps, and other signs of bad oral health.