Smokers have been reminded by specialists that nicotine not only causes damage to the lungs, but could also cause tooth loss and result in the need for emergency dentistry.

Experts writing for the dental health magazine WorlDental have warned that bad breath and discolouration of teeth are not the only negative outcomes of smoking, but there can also be more serious implications.

They explained that teeth and gums can become diseased, due to tobacco reducing the blood flow, causing thinning and weakening to the roots, thus allowing bacteria to penetrate easier and cause infections.

In the more extreme cases it was suggested that people could lose their teeth or develop mouth cancer if they smoke regularly.

People were also encouraged by the magazine to look out for red, shiny gums or sensitivity and bleeding as these could be signs of gum disease, which is the main cause of tooth loss in adults.