Smoking Is Cool? Well, It’s Not So Cool!

By: on March 4th, 2016 in Dental Health, Smoking

 

Smoking has been an issue for which government and people have spent enormous energy and time over decades. Although, after all the hard work of many years the message did reach across some people to quit smoking, for the better of their health but, the numbers haven’t gone down much.

Nearly, 1 million people die in India alone due to tobacco smoking/consumption. Still cool? It’s not so cool!

 

If you are a smoker:

  1. Try to quit smoking . You can speak to your doctor for guidance.
  2. If quitting is too difficult, try and reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke per day.
  3. Thorough cleaning your teeth and gums twice a day with a toothpaste containing fluoride.
  4. Use dental floss or inter-dental cleaners every day to clean between your teeth, followed by brushing and tongue cleaning.
  5. Try to visit your dentist regularly and take proper care of your teeth and gums at home. Early intervention, and regular preventive maintenance will keep your teeth and gums healthy.
  6. dry mouth ? – drink plenty of water , chew sugar-free gum to keep yourself hydrated
  7. Limit your weekly alcohol intake.

Signs and symptoms of gum disease:

  1. red, swollen, bleeding gums
  2. persistent discharge from your gums
  3. loose gums
  4. bad taste or bad breath
  5. loose teeth – this will change the pattern of your bite when your teeth are placed together, or make dentures fit poorly
  6. spaces in between your teeth.

Common oral problems affecting people who smoke are:

  1. Gum diseases
  2. Mouth cancer
  3. Whitening of the mucus membrane, it is called smoker’s keratosis.
  4. Poor healing after tooth extractions (dry sockets) and gum surgery
  5. Discolored teeth
  6. Bad taste and bad breath.

People who smoke more than one pack of cigarettes per day are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

You can see immediate changes in your health once quit smoking. As early as 20 minutes after your last cigarette you can notice your heart rate coming back to normal level. After 8-9 months you can check your lungs begin to repair itself from the damage suffered. Why quit? Here’s the answer

Your gums would still bleed even after quitting smoking but, it will stop and get back to normal state after a thorough professional cleaning of gums by a Dentist or Periodontist (gum specialist).