Nicotine, a substance present in tobacco, is one of the most habit-forming and toxic drugs legally available. Nicotine affects all organs, but dominantly, it connects to the central nervous system and raises brain dopamine levels presenting it as an addictive agent. Tobacco and oral health in India are closely linked as visible effects such as gum disease, tooth staining, tooth loss, and in further severe cases mouth cancer.
Tobacco And Oral Health India
Tobacco And Oral Cancer in India
Lip and oral cancer were the most common cancer in men in India in 2018. India ranks the highest in the number of new oral cancer cases in the world each year. The most common cause that triggers oral cancer is tobacco chewing, a habit that is strongly present in the Indian population especially the younger population. Secondly, poor oral hygiene is another observed cause of oral cancer, which can be an effect of constant smoking or lack of conscious efforts to maintain the hygiene of the oral cavity by using basic mouthwash habits.
Tobacco And Dental Health
The adverse and damaging consequences of tobacco and oral health in India are now well understood. Smoking generates discolouration of teeth, and some say that tobacco in fact might cause dental decay as it reduces salivary pH and the buffering power. Smoking is prone to cause halitosis and may affect taste and smell. Wound healing is also reduced in tobacco smokers.
Tobacco smoking and dental treatment
Tobacco dependence shows many characteristics of chronic disease. Regular smokers are hooked on the habit as tobacco usage ends in true drug dependence. Some types of treatments are bleaching, dental implants, and fixed partial implants. Bleaching is using tooth-whitening alternatives like peroxide-based bleaching tools to whiten your teeth. Dental implants are an excellent alternative for teeth that cannot be saved or missing teeth, multiple missing teeth, single missing teeth, and full mouth rehabilitation. The implants are superior titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone. Fixed partial denture, ordinarily known as a “bridge,” is a method to supplement a missing tooth with a fixed prosthesis. During this procedure, the teeth on both sides of the area where the tooth is missing are groomed for a crown.
Tobacco Smoking and Dental Implants
While there is no long-term cure for nicotine consumption if you choose you can quit tobacco. Scientific studies recommend patients should quit smoking for two weeks before any implant surgery to remove nicotine from their system to promote enhanced blood flow and oxygen to their bones. After the implant surgery, discontinue smoking for an extra eight weeks to stimulate the bone cells to accept the dental implant and improve your immune system’s ability to fight off pathogens.
For the patients who continue to smoke, at Richardsons Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, we let the patients know the dangers and clarify any questions they may have. Dental implants are the most lasting tooth replacement choice available for most cases. By picking a dental implant specialist, you can have the confidence to get the best decision about your oral health.
Overall, there is a strong correlation between tobacco and oral health in India. Education discussing oral health, the result of tobacco use, and equal access to dental healthcare can assist in solving many dental health issues in India. And, though smoking has been known to cause dilemmas with dental implants, they are still a good option for many people and last for many years. The best place to start is to visit Richardsons Dental and Craniofacial Hospital, where a customized treatment plan is created according to your needs.