Yes, we all know that smoking is injurious to health and can even kill in the long run but did you know that smoking can impact your oral health to such an extent that your day to day activities might be hindered? Your body might not see the effects of smoking soon but your teeth and gums will start giving you warning signals early on. Smoking does more than just darken your lips and stain your teeth. From increased risk of infection to life threatening oral cancers, smoking can cause a lot of harm. Read below on how smoking affects your oral health and how you can start your journey of quitting.
Smoking and oral health -
The products in your cigarettes like nicotine and tobacco decrease the oxygen levels in your bloodstream. This impacts the natural healing of gums. Tobacco and nicotine products can interact with the oral tissue and cause an array of problems –
- Tooth discolouration - Nicotine reacts with the outer layer of your teeth and causes yellowing of teeth
- Dryness of mouth - Certain cigarettes and e-cigarettes can cause the saliva to dry up, which in turn results in mouth ulcers, persistent bad breath and more.
- Gum diseases - due to decreased oxygen flow to the gums, the gums are more prone to infection and inflammation. Bleeding gums, receeding gums and mobile teeth are going to be a common occurrence
- Oral Cancers - Smoking is the main cause of many oral cancers involving all parts of your mouth like the inside of the cheek, the tongue, corners of the mouth and more. They might start off as irritated mucosa with red or white patches which might seem sensitive to hot and spicy food. These ‘lesions’ keep progressing to involve the adjacent tissues
The right way to quit smoking
Very much easier said than done. Yes we can start off by restricting yourself and throwing away the packet you have at hand but for a proper long term cessation, follow the below checklist
- Taking the decision to stop - Understanding the problem, acknowledging it and taking the active decision that you want to stop will already get you halfway there
- Decrease the frequency - Start by decreasing the number of cigarettes consumed per day
- Identify triggers and pick alternatives - There might be some triggers that would make you want to light up a cigarette instantly. It is healthy to identify such triggers and work on them, or pick alternative distractions which would not take a toll on your health
- Nicotine replacement products - Products like gums, chewables, nicotine patches and sprays might help you transition smoother into giving up.
- Seek support - You do not have to do this alone. Joining a support group, talking to someone about your condition and getting validated for your struggle might motivate you in the right direction
Maintaining oral health while quitting
While you are on the process of quitting, we advise you to take the following steps for your oral hygiene
- Follow a proper brushing and flossing routine. Do not let any food or debris accumulate. Remember not to floss too hard though.
- Stay hydrated to help with the halitosis and naturally wash away harmful bacteria
- Invest in mouth washes and/or lozenges for saliva production. This will also help fight the bacteria
- Get regular dental checkups. Patients with a history of smoking require twice the frequency of dental cleaning and follow ups compared to others. So,
Our experts at prudentoe understand the struggles of trying to quit smoking. Share your journey with us and let us help you towards a healthier smile. Contact us now.
