Tobacco Use
Tobacco smoke is a leading cause of oral conditions such as periodontal disease and gingivitis, which can lead to sore gums.
Inhaling tobacco smoke from cigarettes, pipe tobacco, or cigars can irritate and inflame the mouth and throat tissues. The irritation that smoking causes can make it painful to brush your teeth, and if you have sore gums because of smoking, brushing can make your gums bleed. This might lead you to avoid brushing your teeth, which only worsens the problem and increases your risk for serious dental issues like tooth loss.
Tobacco smoke also contains carcinogens, chemicals known to cause human cancer. When you inhale these toxins through tobacco smoke, they can irritate and damage cells in the mouth and throat, increasing your chances of developing oral cancer. If you have been diagnosed with oral cancer or any other type of cancer caused by tobacco use, it’s important to talk to your doctor about treatment options for pain management.
