Smoking and Oral Health – How To Stop Smoking
The links between smoking and oral health have been studied for a long time. In the past, many people actually thought smoking was good for you. However, in the 1960s, scientists found that smoking was terrible for you for multiple different reasons. At first, the main focus of research was on the impact of smoking on the heart, lungs, and general health. However, the links between smoking and oral health have been studied by scientists for a while now, and the results are in – smoking is terrible for your dental health. The link between smoking and oral health is very serious, and smoking and vaping can have terrible effects on your dental health and gums. Smoking causes more issues than just yellow teeth. Here is everything you need to know about smoking and oral health, why you should stop smoking, and where to get support.
What are the links between smoking and oral health?
The links between smoking and oral health have been studied for a long time, and there are a few main takeaways. Smoking causes these oral health issues:
- Oral and Mouth Cancer
- Tooth Loss and Decay
- Gum Disease
- Complications after Oral Surgery
- Teeth Staining
- Poor Oral Hygiene
The links between smoking and oral health have been studied in smokers and non-smokers over a long period of time, and smokers are significantly more likely to develop oral health problems. Smoking and oral health is now one of the most discussed health topics, as people are trying to stop smoking and vaping because of multiple different health issues.
Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your mouth and gums.
Why does smoking cause dental problems?
Smoking is terrible for your health, but there are many reasons why smoking and oral health are so heavily discussed. For example, the tar and toxins in cigarettes can cause mouth, oral and gum cancer. Shockingly, 90% of people with cancer in the mouth, tongue, lips, and throat have smoked or used tobacco. Avoiding oral cancers is one of the main reasons why learning about smoking and oral health are so important.
Furthermore, smoking is terrible for your dental health. Smoking deprives your bloodstream of oxygen, meaning that your gums and mouth are unable to heal. It also causes gum disease to develop faster, which could lead to tooth loss and decay. If you need dental implants or other treatments, complications could be caused by smoking, preventing you from getting great dental care. Smoking and oral health do not mix!
One of the less life-threatening effects of smoking and oral health is the dental hygiene effects – however, if these aren’t treated, it can become very troubling. The tar in cigarettes can cause teeth staining, and can make your teeth turn completely yellow in just a short amount of time. In terms of aesthetics, smokers complain of brown teeth and bad breath, which can be very worrying to deal with.
The links between smoking and oral health are clear to see, and stopping smoking is imperative if you want to keep your teeth.
How often should smokers see a dentist?
Smokers are advised to visit their dentist more than non-smokers. The links between smoking and oral health show that smoking can have a significant impact on your dental care, so you should see your dentist more so they can spot potential dental issues. It is advised that you smokers should see their dentist between 3-4 times per year, to prevent any issues caused by smoking. Smoking and oral health should be taken care of by a dentist. If you want advice on preventing smoking damage, book a consultation with us today.
How to stop smoking
Smoking and oral health do not mix – there are many benefits to your teeth and gums by giving up smoking. Some of these include:
- Fresher breath
- Reduced staining and better oral hygiene
- Risk of oral disease reduces significantly
- Reduces your risk of developing fatal disease like cancer
- Less tooth decay and risk of infection
The links between smoking and oral health are clear. However, stopping smoking can be difficult. Nicotine is a very addictive substance, and the act of smoking is a powerful habit to break. Here at Beyond Dental, we care about our patients and want to provide as much support as possible. There are many different nicotine replacement therapies available, such as chewing gum, patches, inhalers and lozenges so you can stop smoking.
Asking for support to stop smoking is one of the best things you can do. Talking to your friends and family, and using the NHS stop smoking support, is one of the best ways to beat smoking addiction. Reminding yourself about the links between smoking and oral health can keep you motivated to stick at it and stop smoking today!
How long after quitting smoking does oral health improve?
The links and effects between smoking and oral health can be improved as soon as you stop smoking. Many people think that the effects of smoking and oral health cannot be reversed, especially if they have been smoking for a long time. However, you will improve your dental health as soon as you quit smoking. When you stop smoking, your risk of developing mouth cancer drops to non-smoker levels – adding 10 years to your life. Stopping smoking is one of the key parts of preventative dentistry, as it can stop the development of gum disease, decay and teeth staining. Your breath will also become fresher instantly! A year after quitting smoking, the effects of smoking and mental health will be reduced significantly.
Final Thoughts
The links between smoking and oral health are intense – stopping smoking remains one of the best things you can do for your dental health. If you want to know more about the links between stopping smoking and oral health, or need support quitting smoking and getting restorative dentistry for issues caused by smoking, please visit us today.
At Beyond Dental, we have locations in Leamington Spa, Cheltenham, Milton Keynes and Solihull so you can visit our dedicated team in person for help quitting smoking and oral health improvements. Contact us today for help making the best choices for your health!
