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Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is one of the leading causes of death in society.  Fortunately, it is also among the most preventable.  Aside from being a sociably undesirable habit, smoking can result in oral cancer, reduce smelling and tasting abilities, compromise recovery after oral surgery, stain the teeth, and increase the risk of contracting periodontal disease.  The American Dental Association (ADA) and all pediatric dentists encourage children, adolescents, and adults to abstain from all forms of tobacco use.

Almost all adult smokers have tried smoking before the age of nineteen.  In all likelihood, an individual who abstains from smoking throughout the teenage years will never pick up the habit.  Therefore, it is essential that parents strongly discourage preadolescent and adolescent tobacco use.

Is smokeless tobacco less dangerous for teens?

Tobacco use in any form brings the oral region into direct contact with carcinogens (cancer causing agents).  These carcinogens and other harmful chemicals cause irreparable damage to the child’s oral health.

Parents and teens often mistakenly evaluate smokeless tobacco as the “safer” option.  In fact, smokeless tobacco has been proven to deliver a greater concentration of harmful agents into the body, and to be far more addictive.  One snuff of tobacco has approximately the same nicotine content as sixty regular cigarettes.  In addition, smokeless tobacco causes leukoplakias in the mouth, which are dangerous pre-cancerous lesions.

What are the signs of oral cancer?

Oral cancer can be difficult to detect without the aid of the dentist.  In some cases, oral cancer is not noticeable or even painful until its later stages.  Parents of tobacco users must be aware of the following symptoms:

  • Changes in the way the teeth fit together.
  • Difficulty moving the jaw.
  • Mouth sores that don’t heal.
  • Numbness or tenderness.
  • Red or white spots on the cheek, lip, or tongue.

Oral cancer is treatable if caught early.  Disfiguring surgery can be avoided by having the child abstain from tobacco use and getting regular preventative dental checkups.

How can I stop my child from using tobacco?

There are several ways to discourage children and adolescents from using tobacco products.  First, talking to the child personally about the dangers of tobacco use (or asking the dentist to talk to the child) has proven an effective preventative strategy.  Second, parents should lead by example. According to research studies, children of non-smokers are less likely to pick up this dangerous habit.  Third, monitor the child closely.  If the child will not cooperate, screenings for tobacco can be requested at the dental office.

If you have questions or concerns about your childhood tobacco use, please contact your pediatric dentist.

Frequently Asked Questions
Tobacco Use and Oral Health, TX

Tobacco use — whether smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or using smokeless products like chewing tobacco — causes serious harm to nearly every part of your mouth. It stains teeth, causes chronic bad breath, slows healing, dulls taste and smell, contributes to gum disease, and dramatically increases the risk of oral cancer. The damage is cumulative, so the longer you use tobacco, the greater the risk.
Yes, very strongly. Tobacco users are far more likely to develop periodontal (gum) disease than non-users, and their disease tends to progress faster and respond poorly to treatment. Tobacco weakens the immune system, reduces blood flow to the gums, and masks early warning signs like bleeding — meaning gum disease often goes unnoticed until it has caused significant damage.
Yes. Tobacco use is the leading cause of oral cancer, which includes cancers of the lips, tongue, cheeks, gums, floor of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Smokers are about 6 times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers, and that risk multiplies significantly when combined with alcohol use. Smokeless tobacco users face elevated risk for cancers of the cheek, gums, and inner lip surfaces.
No. Smokeless tobacco — including chew, dip, snuff, and snus — is not a safe alternative. It contains at least 28 known cancer-causing chemicals and is directly linked to oral cancer, gum recession, tooth decay, leukoplakia (white precancerous patches), and tooth loss. Long-term users often develop visible damage in the areas where the tobacco is held.
Vaping is not safe for oral health either. E-cigarettes have been linked to gum inflammation, increased risk of gum disease, dry mouth, tooth decay, and damage to oral tissues. The aerosol contains chemicals that irritate the mouth and may contribute to long-term issues. The full long-term effects are still being studied, but early research is concerning.
Be alert for: sores in the mouth or on the lips that don’t heal within 2 weeks; red, white, or speckled patches inside the mouth; lumps, thickening, or rough spots on the lips, gums, or other parts of the mouth; persistent sore throat or hoarseness; difficulty chewing, swallowing, or moving the jaw or tongue; numbness in any area of the mouth; and unexplained bleeding. Contact our office immediately if you notice any of these signs.
Tobacco significantly delays healing after dental procedures. Smokers and tobacco users face higher rates of complications after tooth extractions (including painful dry socket), failed dental implants, poor gum graft outcomes, and slower recovery from periodontal surgery. We may recommend stopping tobacco use before and after dental procedures to give your body the best chance to heal properly.
Yes. Through its effects on gum disease, tobacco is one of the leading preventable causes of adult tooth loss. By accelerating gum recession, bone loss, and infection, tobacco use undermines the foundation that keeps your teeth in place. Quitting tobacco at any age helps slow this damage and protect your remaining teeth.
Yes. Tobacco use is a major cause of chronic bad breath (halitosis), as the chemicals linger in the mouth, lungs, and throat. It also causes deep yellow or brown staining on teeth that often can’t be removed by regular brushing — professional cleaning or whitening may be needed. Smokers’ tongues often become coated and discolored as well.
Professional cleanings can remove most surface stains caused by tobacco, especially when paired with routine maintenance. For deeper, more set-in stains, in-office or take-home whitening treatments may be needed. However, as long as tobacco use continues, the staining will return. Quitting is the best way to keep your smile bright.
Children exposed to secondhand smoke have higher rates of tooth decay, gum problems, and ear infections. Teens who start using tobacco — including vaping — face significantly elevated lifetime risks for oral cancer, gum disease, and addiction. Talk to your child early and often about the oral and overall health risks of tobacco in all forms.
Yes. Many of the negative effects of tobacco use begin to reverse soon after quitting. Within days, your breath improves and taste returns. Within weeks, gum tissues respond better to treatment. Over months and years, the risk of oral cancer and gum disease drops significantly, and your overall healing capacity improves. It’s never too late to benefit from quitting.
We can support you in several ways: by screening regularly for oral cancer and gum disease, discussing the changes in your mouth so you understand the impact, helping you access cessation resources like nicotine replacement, prescription medications, counseling, and quitlines, and providing encouragement at every visit. Quitting is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone.
Tobacco users should visit our office at least every six months — and sometimes more frequently — for cleanings, exams, and oral cancer screenings. Because tobacco speeds up gum disease and increases cancer risk, regular checkups are critical for catching problems early when they’re most treatable. We’ll recommend the right schedule based on your individual risk factors.