Why You Should Strengthen Your Resolve To Quit Smoking

The oral health impact from failing to stop smoking.

Since the smoking ban came into force in the UK in 2007, there has been a significant reduction in the number of people who have stopped smoking. For some, the ban was perhaps the impetus that they needed, while for others, it simply became too difficult to smoke in places where they wanted to, and standing outside a pub in the middle of winter to have a smoke isn’t exactly appealing. Add these to those who stopped for health or financial reasons and the result has been very significant. Of course, there are those who still smoke and this blog is for them too. Mainly though, it is for those who are still tempted to become a smoker again after quitting.

This warm spring and summer has been great for all sorts of reasons and most of us hope it lasts for a long time. There are drawbacks though and most ex smokers have ‘triggers’ that make them think it would be really nice to have ‘just one’ cigarette at that particular moment. As we know that can be a slippery slope back to being a regular smoker. With the hot weather and barbeques and the alcohol that often flows, it might just be tempting to ‘light up’ once more. The dentists at the Foxhall Dental Practice in Ipswich now take a look at reasons why you really shouldn’t!

Oral cancer

Smoking is heavily linked to this serious health issue. You may have noticed that our dentists routinely check the tongue, lips and cheeks when you have a check up with us. This is because we are in a perfect position to notice anything in the oral cavity that looks unusual. We aren’t doctors though and may refer you to your GP if we see anything of concern. There may be other explanations but it is always best to be safe. Oral cancer can be a killer and can also cause serious facial disfiguration, especially if not caught early enough.

Periodontitis

Gum disease is a serious issue, and especially when it becomes more advanced at a stage known as periodontitis. This not only affects the gums but also affects the tooth roots and surrounding bone tissue. This can cause the bone to degrade and the tooth that is held in that place may become loose, and eventually even fall out. Despite this, it is relatively easy to avoid with good oral care and seeing our dental hygienist. The irritation from smoke and the dry mouth that it causes, greatly increases the likelihood of this happening; another excellent reason to quit or not start smoking again.

Implant failure

Related to the above, periodontitis and peri-implantitis can have a massive impact on the health of a dental implant. This can happen at any stage, even if your implant has been in place for years. The crumbling bone caused by this will enable the implant to work loose and possibly fall out. If you are thinking of having a dental implant placed, you will also be required to quit smoking, at the very least, for a period before and after as smoking during this period can cause it to instantly fail.

Delayed healing

When we smoke, the nicotine in the cigarette smoke causes the tiny blood vessels in our gums to narrow. This slows down the flow of blood and oxygen to this area. This means that if you have had an invasive procedure, any healing will likely be slowed down and also increase the risk of infection. Non smokers therefore, are likely to heal faster and with less complications than those who continue to smoke.

Stained teeth

While not as serious as the above issues, having stained teeth can really have a negative impact on our wellbeing. If we are reluctant to smile because of our yellow or stained teeth caused by smoking, it makes sense to do something about this. The most obvious thing to do is to quit of course and once you have done this, or if you are still a non smoker with stained teeth, is to make an appointment with our cosmetic dentists. We can whiten your teeth either with a teeth whitening procedure or by using dental veneers. The treatment used will depend on the condition of your teeth and we will discuss your options with you.

With the expense of cigarettes and the knowledge of how bad it is for us generally, it is surprising that so many people do still smoke. The fact that some people are tempted to start again shows us the addictive nature of nicotine though. We hope that today’s blog helps any of our Ipswich patients who are tempted to start smoking again, even if it is for ‘just one’, not to do so.

If you would like any further advice about your oral health connected with smoking or would like to see how we can revitalise your smile after quitting, please contact the Foxhall Dental Practice today on 01473 258396. We look forward to being able to help you.