Smoking cessation
Are you ready to make this year the year you quit for good?
Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and in more sever cases mouth cancer.
One of the effects of smoking is staining on the teeth due to the nicotine and tar in the tobacco. It can make your teeth yellow in a very short time and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown.
People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque, which leads to gum disease. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen present in your blood stream, which therefore means that infected gums do not heal. Gum disease will therefore progress more quickly in smokers, exacerbated by them having more dental plaque.
It is commonly known that smoking can cause lung and throat cancer, but many people still do not know that it is one of the main causes of mouth cancer. Every year thousands of people die from mouth cancer brought on by smoking.
Visiting the dentist
It is important that you attend for regular dental appointments so the dental team can spot any problems early. You should also attend for regular appointments with the hygienist who will be able to remove plaque and calculus build up. They will also be able to provide you with oral hygiene advice to keep your teeth looking their best in between appointments.
Quitting for good
The best treatment will depend on your personal preference, age and any medical conditions that you may have. Research has shown that all methods can be effective in helping you to quit, it is about finding the right method for you. Support from an NHS stop smoking service can further increase the chance of making this time the time you quit for good.