Lynwood Dental Centre
Smoking and your oral health
If you smoke, you are welcome to discuss it with us openly. Knowing about smoking helps us assess your mouth and plan care. The conversation is about your health and practical support, not blame.
More than surface staining
Smoking can stain teeth and affect breath, but its effects go beyond appearance. It increases the risk of severe gum disease and oral cancer and can affect healing. Removing stains does not remove these underlying risks.
Include it in treatment planning
Tell us about smoking before dental treatment, particularly surgery or implants. Your clinician can explain how it may affect risk and recovery. Follow the instructions given for your procedure rather than relying on a generic number of smoke-free days from an online guide.
Look after your mouth between visits
Continue your daily cleaning routine and arrange review at the interval recommended for you. Tell us about a sore area, a lump or another change in your mouth that does not settle. A dental examination is important even when a concern is not painful.
Support to make a change
Stopping smoking can benefit oral health even after many years. If you would like help, speak with your GP or pharmacist about a suitable approach. We can include your goals in the dental-care discussion and help you identify questions to take to your healthcare team.
Bring your questions
You do not have to wait until you have stopped smoking to seek dental care. If you are worried about how smoking has affected your gums, teeth or treatment options, book an assessment so we can talk through the findings.
Will whitening address smoking-related dental problems?
Whitening concerns tooth colour. It does not treat gum disease or remove the other health risks associated with smoking.
Should I tell you if my smoking habits change?
Yes. Updated information helps us review your risk and adapt the care discussion.