Tobacco & Oral Health Effects
Tobacco and Oral Health: What You Should Know
Tobacco use doesn’t just affect your lungs — it has serious impacts on your mouth, too. From stained teeth to gum disease and even oral cancer, smoking and vaping can cause lasting damage. The good news? Quitting improves your oral health quickly and helps protect your smile for the long run.
Want to use less tobacco or quit for good? The Tobacco Education Program has tools and support to help you get there.
How Tobacco Harms Oral Health
- Turns your teeth yellow and causes bad breath that doesn’t go away easily
- Makes it easier to get gum infections, which can lead to losing teeth
- Can change the color of your tongue and cause unusual white patches in your mouth
- Raises your risk of getting mouth cancer or throat cancer
- Slows down healing after you get dental work, like getting a tooth pulled
- Can cause implants (fake teeth) to fail and make gum treatments less effective
- Makes your mouth feel dry, which can lead to more cavities
Benefits of Quitting Tobacco
✔️ Healthier gums: They heal faster and get stronger after quitting
✔️ Lower cancer risk: You're less likely to get sores or develop mouth cancer
✔️ Better dental care: Treatments like cleanings and surgeries work more effectively
✔️ Whiter teeth & fresher breath: Quitting helps reduce stains and bad breath
✔️ Long-term benefits: Over time, your mouth and body can become almost as healthy as if you’d never used tobacco
