About Us

Dr. Judy Sturm & Associates is a place of comfort, care, and friendliness.  We look forward to welcoming you to our Dental Family.

Monday-Thursday: 8am to 6pm, Friday 8am-3pm 77 Bloor St W #1202, Toronto, ON M5S 1M2, Canada 416-967-4212 admin@yorkvillesmiles.com

Dr. Judy Sturm & Associates

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Tobacco and Healthy Teeth and Gums

Tobacco doesn’t mix with teeth and gums or any other part of your body for that matter. Smoking and chewing tobacco cause serious problems for overall and oral health.

Sturm & Associates explains that smoking any type of tobacco whether you are smoking cigarettes, cigars, a pipe or even a Hookah puts you in the high-risk category for gum disease. Keep in mind that gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults.

Gum Disease Causes:

  • Stained and discolored teeth
  • Bad breath
  • Salivary gland inflammation
  • Plaque and tartar buildup
  • Jawbone loss
  • Increased risk of white patches or leukoplakia in your mouth
  • Healing delays, especially following extractions, oral surgery and periodontal treatment
  • Increased chance of dental implant failure
  • Increased risk of oral cancer

Smoking and Gum Disease

Tobacco products affect the soft tissues in your mouth. Researchers believe that gum tissues cells don’t function properly when smoking is involved. This makes smokers and chewers more prone to gum and tooth infections. Research also indicates blood flow impairment to the gums. This could affect how you heal.

Pipes and Cigar Smokers aren’t Safe Either

According to your dentist in Toronto, just like cigarettes, cigars and pipes cause oral health issues as well. Cigar smokers experience jawbone loss just like cigarette smokers, even pipe smokers have the same risk, and just like cigarettes, hookah, pipe, and cigar smokers have horrible breath and most likely gum disease.

Smoking and Dental Implants

As previously mentioned, tobacco users have a higher risk of dental implant failure. This is probably because smokers do not heal as quickly, if at all.

Implant osseointegration failure, which is a phenomenon that fuses the implant post to the bone, is much higher in people who smoke. It is important to note that dental implant hygiene is also affected when you smoke.

Smoking also makes it harder for your gum tissue to heal after it has been damaged. Healthy gums fuse to the bone around the posts for support, unhealthy gums don’t.

Some say smoking inhibits bone healing because of the nicotine. Nicotine affects immune cell function and will constrict blood flow. Your vessels carry nutrients and oxygen needed for osseointegration.

Smoking and Tobacco Use

If you use tobacco and would like to stop, talk to your primary care physician and your dentist in Toronto and don’t forget to schedule regular dental checkups.

Regular checkups prevent gum disease and other oral health problems. If you do smoke, don’t forget to keep up with comprehensive dental examinations including oral cancer screenings.

For more information regarding smoking and teeth and gums or if you would like to schedule a comprehensive dental exam in Toronto, call, text or send a message to Sturm & Associates today, your oral and overall health depends on it.

Call now.