November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. The most common cause of lung cancer is smoking or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke. Smoking also harms dental health in addition to the outcomes of orthodontic treatments. In today’s blog your Fort Worth orthodontist Dr. Cabal discusses the damaging consequences of smoking on one’s dental health while wearing braces.
Tobacco Use Harms Dental Health
Smoking is harmful to your dental health in addition to your overall health. Smoking can lead to the following conditions:
- Gum disease
- Stained, yellow teeth
- Greater plaque build up
- Bad breath
- Greater risk for oral cancer
- Loss of bone within the jaw
- Development of leukoplakia, white spots inside the mouth
- Longer healing periods following oral surgery, teeth extractions, or gum disease treatment
Smoking with Braces
One of the types of braces that Dr. Cabal provides is Invisalign. Invisalign refers to a series of clear plastic aligner trays that are worn like retainers. One of the benefits of Invisalign is that the trays are not only removable but also nearly invisible. Invisalign is a great option for professional adults who want to maintain a more sophisticated appearance. However, the manufacturer of Invisalign does not recommend smoking while wearing Invisalign because smoking can stain aligners. For those who opt for more conventional braces with brackets and wires, because smoking can stain teeth, some patients who smoke while wearing braces report white spots on the surfaces of their teeth after the braces are taken off. This occurs because smoking stains the rest of the tooth except for the area covered by the bracket. Further, the cement typically used on brackets is porous and can absorb smoke and stains. Smoking can also damage and weaken the gum tissue around your teeth. If the gums and bone do not remain strong, this can alter the outcomes and prognosis of your orthodontic treatment.
About your Fort Worth Orthodontist
Lake Country Orthodontics provides superb, customized orthodontic care in a calming office. He treats patients of all ages, from young children to adults. Dr. Cabal’s services include Invisalign, tooth-colored braces, and interceptive orthodontics for children. Dr. Ciro Cabal proudly treats patients from Lake Worth, Lake Country, Lakeland, Highlands, Saginaw, and the surrounding communities. To schedule an appointment at our Ft. Worth orthodontist office, call Dr. Cabal’s office at (817) 236-7846.
