25 Years of Quality Education
Apply now
- Premature tooth loss
- Gum Disease
- Oral Cancer
- Bad breath
- Yellowing or stained teeth
- Wrinkles
Tooth Loss
Dentists have revealed that smokers that give up, are less likely to lose their teeth prematurely, than those who continue.
Gum Disease
Studies also show that smokers with gum disease showed improvement of the disease, after they quit smoking over a period of 12 months.
Bad Breath
Bad breath in people that smoke, can be caused by the retention and exhalation of the smoke that is inhaled.
Yellowing or Stained Teeth
Smoking causes yellowing of the teeth, and even blackening stains on the surface of the teeth. This is usually found behind the top and bottom front teeth in the area where the cigarette is placed. If there is a depression then the tobacco stain may stick to that area where the enamel meets the root.
Wrinkles
Smoking can cause deep wrinkles around the mouth speeding up the look of the aging process.
Diabetics
People that suffer from diabetes are already high risk candidates for getting gum disease, and this increases even more if they use tobacco. There is also research that gum disease in diabetics could make it harder to control blood sugar.
In a study which appeared in an August issue of the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, researchers studied 49 cigarette smokers that were being treated for gum disease. The participants were offered help to quit smoking in the form of medication, counseling, and or nicotine therapy at the start of the study. One year later, approximately 9 out of 49 who had quit smoking, showed that they had significant improvement in the health of their gums, and a decrease in some gum disease symptoms compared to those who continued to smoke.
According to Health Canada, studies also show that smokers are 5 to 10 times more prone to develop oral cancer compared to people that have never smoked. They state that 37% of people diagnosed with oral cancer are expected to die within 5 years after diagnosis.
Other Benefits of Quitting Smoking
It is difficult to stop smoking but some of the benefits can be immediate. For example you start to taste food better, you can breathe easier, you will start to cough less, your blood pressure starts to return to normal and you will have a healthier mouth and a nicer smile.
Here are some helpful resources:
https://www.smokershelpline.ca/
https://www.diabetes.ca/diabetes-and-you/healthy-living-resources/heart-health/smoking-diabetes
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/diabetes.html