It is estimated that around 15 out of 100 Americans over the age of 18 smoke cigarettes. That is a lot of people, even though there is plenty of information out there telling them that this habit is dangerous; in fact, it can lead to lung cancer. There is an additional danger that some do not address. Your Tarzana dentist and Reseda dentist will discuss this, and it deals with the harm it can do to your smile.

Stained Teeth

One reason you want to reconsider your habit is because smoking can stain and discolor your teeth. What you should remember is that the health of your teeth actually says a lot about you. People may not even notice that they judge someone by the state of their teeth, but they do. Things like your health and overall hygiene are judged by your teeth, and discolored teeth do not say good things about you.

Discoloration happens for many reasons. For one, cigarettes contain hundreds of chemicals, and some leave molecules behind. These molecules penetrate your teeth's enamel given enough time. What starts to happen is that the molecules begin to slowly block out light, making your teeth seem more and more dull. This could gradually lead to yellow teeth that most long-time smokers have. You do not want that to happen to you, which is one reason why your Tarzana dentist recommends that you stop smoking.

Gum Issues

Another reason your local dentist in Tarzana wants you to give up smoking or at least consider it is the health of your gums. The gums require a lot of nutrients and other compounds to stay strong and healthy. Some may assume that the state of their gums is constant, but the inner-workings of gums are always improving the tissue. This is mostly done with good circulation, which ensures that your gums receive enough collagen to keep them strong. Therein lies the problem as smoke can hinder your blood's ability to circulate well--due to its negative effect on your body's oxygen intake.

This problem could go unnoticed for a long time, meaning your gums could get weaker and weaker. Your teeth might become loose because of weak gums or your gums might become susceptible to infection. The gums need to stay strong to fend up bacterial attacks and keep your teeth in place.

Bad Breath

You know that you will be near someone at some point, and you do not want this person to smell something foul as it can reflect badly on you. Well, this habit also affects your breath. Okay, smoke is drying, which causes your mouth to get a little dry after smoking. This is not a problem the first few times you smoke, but consistent dry mouth leads to bacterial growth.

You may not know this, but your saliva is your first line of defense against bacteria. Smoke takes away a lot of saliva when it dries your mouth out, giving bacteria enough time to multiply, which is how bad breath begins. Harmful bacteria leave sulfur waste compounds in the mouth, which can be pretty foul.

As you can see, there are a number of reasons to give up the habit, which is the reason the best dentist in Reseda is hoping that you give up smoking. Talk to your dentist if you have any questions or need additional help regarding this habit.