Yes it's that time of year again when we all make those New Years resolutions; to quit smoking, to get fit and generally aim to be healthier.Quitting smoking could be the best thing you could do, not just for your general well being but also the health of your teeth, gums and lining of the mouth.
Smokers make up 50% of people with gum disease in the world because of the close proximity of the gums to the smoke.
Apart from the obvious tooth discoloration, staining and bad breath, there is a lot more permanent damage happening in a smokers mouth.
Prolonged exposure to smoke can lead to a very high risk of the jaw bone and support structure of the teeth being eaten away, which in turn leads to premature tooth loss.
Once the toxic substances in cigarette smoke affect the gums and causes inflammation, the whole mouth becomes compromised by bacteria and a lot more vulnerable to tooth decay and serious infections.
Smoking slows down the healing process because the blood flow in the gums has been restricted which means that the mouth does not recover well after orthodontic or dental surgery.
Oral health is greatly compromised by smoking; even with regular visits to the dentist and hygienist and thorough daily cleaning routine, a smoker’s dental hygiene will always be poor. This is more relevant than ever now that research shows the tight link between heart problems, strokes and gum disease.
If that is not enough to scare smokers into kicking the habit, frightening figures show that mouth cancer rates are rising every year. It is largely a lifestyle disease, meaning that 90% of sufferers are tobacco users.
One of the best preventative measures is to stop smoking; people who stop using tobacco, even after many years of use, can greatly reduce their risks of all smoking related illnesses including oral cancer.
There is now more advice and information on smoking cessation than has ever been available before, from several help lines to local support groups and free nicotine replacement therapy. So smokers, now that we know there is nothing remotely positive about smoking, you know what to do… and we know you can do it!
Apart from the obvious tooth discoloration, staining and bad breath, there is a lot more permanent damage happening in a smokers mouth.
Prolonged exposure to smoke can lead to a very high risk of the jaw bone and support structure of the teeth being eaten away, which in turn leads to premature tooth loss.
Once the toxic substances in cigarette smoke affect the gums and causes inflammation, the whole mouth becomes compromised by bacteria and a lot more vulnerable to tooth decay and serious infections.
Smoking slows down the healing process because the blood flow in the gums has been restricted which means that the mouth does not recover well after orthodontic or dental surgery.
Oral health is greatly compromised by smoking; even with regular visits to the dentist and hygienist and thorough daily cleaning routine, a smoker’s dental hygiene will always be poor. This is more relevant than ever now that research shows the tight link between heart problems, strokes and gum disease.
If that is not enough to scare smokers into kicking the habit, frightening figures show that mouth cancer rates are rising every year. It is largely a lifestyle disease, meaning that 90% of sufferers are tobacco users.
One of the best preventative measures is to stop smoking; people who stop using tobacco, even after many years of use, can greatly reduce their risks of all smoking related illnesses including oral cancer.
There is now more advice and information on smoking cessation than has ever been available before, from several help lines to local support groups and free nicotine replacement therapy. So smokers, now that we know there is nothing remotely positive about smoking, you know what to do… and we know you can do it!
For further information and advice you can contact the NHS stop smoking helpline on 0800 028 0553 or call your local NHS stop smoking service:- Plymouth – 01752 314040 Torbay Care Trust – 01803 299160. wiseupandquit.co.uk
Melanie
Melanie
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