Stoptober

No matter how long you’ve smoked for, quitting can help improve your general health straight away.

What most people don’t think of, is how smoking negatively affects your oral health. It’s not just stained teeth or bad breath. It goes well beyond that.

Here’s how smoking can affect your oral cavity:

• Weakened Immune System – immune systems become compromised, leading to weakened protection against oral diseases and longer recovery from dental surgical procedures.
• Mouth Sores and Ulcers – these common oral health issues are much more common in smokers
• Gum Recession – smokers who develop gum disease experience receding gums that exposes the margins of their teeth
• Tooth Decay and Loss -smoking supports bacteria, plaque, and tartar build-up leading to cavities, decay, and tooth loss
• Oral Cancer – exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco causes mutations in the healthy cells of your mouth and throat, increasing your risk for developing oral cancer, probably the most serious and challenging to treat

Take the first step and get the support you need online:

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/.

As you may know, during your routine visit we carry out a full gum health check and visual oral cancer screening. So don’t forget to book your dental health assessment today!