Most of us are aware just how bad smoking is for our teeth, but less known is the toll vaping can have on them.
In fact, you really should avoid tobacco and vape products if you want to keep a healthy smile, according to a leading cosmetic dentist.
Tobacco can cause various issues with oral health, from increased risk of gum disease to oral cancer and tooth discolouration, says Dr Affan Saghir.
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He told the Mirror: "Although a now popular alternative to smoking, vape products are not without their risks. For example, they can cause gum inflammation and teeth grinding (also known as bruxism) as nicotine stimulates jaw muscles".
Dr Affan, owner of Space Dental, a luxury cosmetic dental clinic in West Yorkshire, is encouraging Brits to look after their gnashers as part of National Smile Month, which begins on May 16. He says anyone concerned about their smile can take the following precautionary steps to improve their dental health and self-esteem.
Top tips for a healthy smile
Brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes: Make sure to remember the interdental (between the teeth) spaces by using interdental brushes or floss. It helps remove plaque and debris that can cause discolouration.
Limit staining foods and drinks: Certain foods and drinks can cause staining on teeth, such as coffee, tea, red wine, and dark berries. Limiting these foods and drinks and rinsing with water afterwards is a healthy routine.
Avoid using mouthwash immediately after brushing your teeth: And don’t rinse, instead spit, after brushing your teeth. This is because rinsing water or mouthwash can wash away the all-important fluoride concentrate left on your teeth from brushing.
Limit the amount and frequency of sugary snacks and acidic beverages: Acid is produced when the bacteria break down the sugar, in turn causing tooth decay.
Opt for sugar-free chewing gum after meals: This helps to increase saliva flow and reduce plaque build-up.
Wear a mouth guard when playing contact sports: This is to protect your teeth from physical trauma.
Visit a dentist: Regular cleaning from a dentist can help remove surface stains and keep teeth healthy and strong. A dentist may also recommend professional teeth whitening treatments that are safe and effective rather than potentially harmful home kits bought online
'Good dental health is crucial for good mental health'
Dr Affan said: “Good dental health is crucial for good mental health. When dental health suffers, it can decrease the quality of life or exacerbate mental health issues. For example, feelings of embarrassment or being self-conscious about the health of your teeth can trigger considerable social anxiety.
"It may even lead to withdrawal from certain situations or hurt your self-esteem. This can lead to an increase in some mental health symptoms.
He says it can similarly also work the other way, with poor mental health sometimes leading people to neglect their oral health.
"When people are under stress, they might ignore their dental hygiene, which in turn has a detrimental effect on overall health, including mental well-being," he says.
"So it’s really important that we take care of our oral health from an early age and continue to have a healthy and happy smile into adulthood.”
*Look out for The MIrror's fantastic forthcoming online competition, where you could win a 10k cosmetic dental makeover as part of National Smile Month, which runs from Tuesday, May 23 to Friday, June 16.
