Of all the actions you can take to jeopardize the health of your mouth and body, smoking tobacco is among the absolute worst. The damage done from smoking and chewing tobacco not only devastates the teeth and gums, but it worsens the symptoms of sleep apnea. While it’s admittedly a tough addiction to beat, quitting tobacco use is among the greatest things smokers can do to conquer their sleep apnea. Learn more about how to tame this vicious addiction today.
How Do Cigarettes Affect My Mouth and Teeth?
You may have heard that smoking tobacco leads to horrific diseases like lung cancer, but you may not be aware of its impact on sleep apnea or the additional hazards it can cause for your health. From your gums and tongue to your teeth and throat, each part of your oral health is impacted by tobacco use. In order of least to most serious, here are some of the ways that smoking cigarettes or cigars can have a dire impact on your mouth:
8 Ways Tobacco Damages Your Oral Health in Order of Severity
- Stained Teeth and Tongue
- Diminished Taste and Smell
- Bad Breath
- Difficulty Healing from Oral Surgery
- Fewer Options for Dental Care
- Periodontal Disease
- Tooth Loss
- Oral Cancer
Reduce Your Sleep Apnea Symptoms by Stopping Tobacco Use
Like your health and oral condition, smoking also wreaks havoc on your ability to sleep. The desire for additional nicotine can wake you up at night, and combined with sleep apnea, can really disrupt your sleeping routine. But that’s not all. Smoking is known to boost your frequency of snoring, and can even lead to developing sleep apnea in and of itself. Clearly, any smokers who suffer from sleep apnea should take every measure to quit since tobacco takes a toll on your sleeping ability.
Let Alpine Dental Help You Manage Your Sleep Apnea Disorder
At Alpine Dental, we understand that sleep apnea is a disorder that can impact every aspect of your life. From heart problems down the line to increases in irritability in both the patient and their spouse, sleep apnea seems like a small problem, but it can rapidly seep into the other parts of your life. With a solid plan and reliable treatment, Dr. Klein and his friendly staff can help you conquer your sleep apnea once and for all. Find out what we can do for you here in our Lake County, Illinois offices today.