Dental Advice for the Sweet Tooth

Hey! I'm Frankie, and welcome to my dental advice blog. I'm a foodie and I love sweet treats, but I also love my teeth! It can be hard to keep your dental health in top condition when you've got a sweet tooth, but it's not impossible. Over the years, I've learned tons of great advice from friends, family members and dentists, and I'd love to share it with you. My blog is here to give you all the tips and tricks you need to stay free of decay and other tooth problems without giving up all your favourite foods and snacks.

Why Your Teeth and Gums Hurt After You Quit Smoking

Dentist Blog

If you have recently quit smoking, you should feel proud. It is no easy feat, at least according to a recent study which found that it takes smokers up to 30 attempts to quit before they can make it to a year without smoking. Smoking affects your health in a number of ways, none of them good, and even after you quit, it will take years for your body to fully recover. One of dental after effects of smoking is sore gums and teeth. Your gums may also bleed after you brush your teeth.

Naturally, this will leave you wondering what the cause is and if anything can be done about it.

Smoking Causes Your Gums to Thicken

The smoke from cigarettes damages your gums and throat over time due to its temperature. As a result, your body responds by thickening the soft tissues of your mouth, including your gums and the skin of your cheeks. Essentially, your body grows a coat of armour to deal with the constant exposure to the heat of the smoke.

When you quit smoking, your body no longer needs this extra layer of skin. Over time, your body will shed this excess skin, leaving a healthy but far more sensitive layer of gum tissue underneath. Your cheeks, tongue, and throat may also be more sensitive than usual. Subsequently, you may experience a strong burning sensation throughout your mouth and your gums may become swollen and bleed after brushing.

Warm Salt Water Soothes the Pain

Whenever the pain becomes too much to bear, add half a teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water and gargle. Do this every two hours to keep the pain at bay. Salt water is beneficial to your mouth in two ways. First of all, it kills bacteria by drawing out the water from within their cells. This keeps infection at bay. Salt water will also soothe your gums by drawing out the moisture, relieving the inflammation.

You Should See a Dentist

Smoking also causes gum disease by limiting the flow of blood to your gums, reducing their healing capacity. This, in turn, leaves them susceptible to gum disease.

If your gums and teeth are sore, this could also be a sign of gum disease. See a dentist for a dental check up as soon as you can to determine the state of your oral health as gum disease can lead to tooth loss and gum recession.

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6 August 2017