Smoking increases your chance of acquiring mouth cancer, among other cancers. In actuality, smokers account for almost 80% of people with mouth cancer. The most modifiable risk factor for this fatal illness is still smoking.

Severe gum disease is also linked to tobacco usage. Smoking makes it harder for your body to fight off infections, which makes it easier for germs to accumulate in your mouth as plaque and tartar. Plaque bacteria irritate the gums, causing them to separate from your teeth, which causes pain and bleeding. In the end, this may result in bone and teeth loss. The risk of gum disease is twice as high for smokers than for nonsmokers.

Nicotine lowers the quantity of blood that may reach your gums since it is a vasoconstrictor. Gum recession, tooth sensitivity, and an increased risk of cavities result from the gums not receiving the oxygen and nutrients they need. Nicotine use's decreased blood flow to the gums may also conceal gum disease symptoms, making diagnosis and detection more difficult. This lets the illness worsen and postpones treatment.