Smoking Cessation
The detrimental impacts of smoking upon oral health can vary in severity; from causing halitosis and tooth staining, to leading to mouth and throat cancer.
Studies also show that there is a strong link between tobacco and periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. In the severest of cases, untreated gum disease can result in tooth loss. Those that smoke are increasingly likely to produce bacterial plaque, which is a contributory factor to gum disease. One impact of smoking is to reduce the amount of oxygen carried in the bloodstream, and as a result infected gums are unable to heal. As well as being a leading cause of gum disease, smoking also causes the disease to progress more rapidly.
Smoking is the principal cause of oral cancer. So much so that studies indicate that smokers are six times more likely to contract an oral cancer than non-smokers. Combined with alcohol consumption, this figure is even higher. It is estimated that 90% of people with mouth cancer are tobacco users. At myFACE, all dentists and hygienists carry out full mouth cancer and gum health checks at every appointment.
A slightly less serious, yet just as unsightly, consequence of smoking is tooth staining, or yellowing. This is a result of the nicotine and tar present in cigarettes. Yellowing of the teeth can occur in a moderately short space of time, and over a longer time frame, smokers may in fact find that their teeth turn brown. At myFACE we encourage regular hygiene appointments where tobacco stains can be removed, as well as providing preventative care and advice.
Other effects of smoking include bad breath, loss of taste and irritation of the gums.
For more information, please visit:
British Dental Health Foundation
