Stop Smoking With EASE

Trying to quit smoking can be a challenge for many people but a challenge many people are willing to take for many reasons. Some have already been diagnosed with medical problems such as heart problems or diabetes all because of smoking and try to quit to prevent more. Others simply want to be healthier and avoid potential health problems such as Lung Caner and COPD. There is always a reason to quit, and BBC News just added one more, dental problems.

BBC News reports, dentists across Europe conducted a research study showing smoking as the culprit for many dental problems such as oral cancer, receding gums which leave the roots exposed, the diminished ability of taste buds and finally the rejection of dental devices and procedures.

Dental devices such as dentures and implants can be a huge benefit to those in desperate need of teeth. For example, implants which work similar to dentures, provide a false tooth to replace a missing one. They are used in people who have lost individual teeth, to create a bridge and for better support to older dentures. Implants work by functioning as the “root” of the tooth because they are made from titanium and are implanted in the jaw. They are coated with a substance called hydroxyapatite which acts as the same chemical makeup of our own bones making the implants more effective than dentures.

Not everyone is a candidate for implants however. A prime candidate requires good healing and blood flow to insure the gum tissue heals properly without infection or rejection of the implant. Implant rejection happens more commonly in smokers. Smoking as well as other diseases such as diabetes, effect how the body heals and how the blood flows, thus resulting in a likely rejection.

Implant rejection is not the only problem tobacco users face when it comes to dental care. Other procedures which are effected by smoking can be something as simple as a filling, teeth removals, and gum disease. Antibiotics and topical treatments can also become useless because of smoking which can lead to more serious problems before, during and after dental procedures.

Bad breath and teeth discoloration are fairly minor problems resulting from smoking, however these minor problems can turn more serious quickly. According to a study done by the American Dental Association, 32% of smokers needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed a major dental cleaning because of periodontal disease (a result of impaired blood flow). Smoking can also be a factor in the loss of jaw bone, gum disease leading to tooth loss, and increased plaque and tartar build up. The American Dental Association, also reported that 97.5% of patients who quite using tobacco, showed an almost complete reduction of mouth lesions (leukoplakia potentially cancerous mouth lesions) in just six weeks of quitting.

Tobacco secession is the only way to combat not only dental problems but other health problems. Quitting is never easy and a challenge every smoker fears, however almost every smoker fears cancer too and quitting won’t kill, but cancer will.

There are many ways available to quit smoking. Some patients choose to try prescription treatments such as Zyban or Wellbutrin which can help curb cravings. Others try over the counter treatments such as the nicotine patch or gum. Other nontraditional treatments include hypnosis, acupuncture and herbal remedies. Those who are interesting in quitting should speak with their dentist of physician to develop a plan and find out what works best for the patient. Since each person is different, each individual plan will be different. Some people use a combination of treatments to quit. It is important to remember quitting is never easy but the health risks are just too high to not quit now.

Tags: Smoking