As we all know, the effects of smoking can lead to serious health complications, including gum disease, bone loss, and oral cancer.
At our 123Dentist locations, we see many patients who have oral health concerns due to the effects of smoking, and we want to help you kick the habit so you can have a healthier lifestyle.
Below are some general facts on the effects of smoking and some tips to help you quit.
General facts about the effects of smoking:
- Half of all long-term smokers will die from the effects of smoking
- Smokers tend to be sick more often, missing 7.5 work days per year in comparison to the average person who misses 4.5 work days a year
- An average smoker is 2-4 times more likely to have cardiovascular problems
- Every 80 seconds, someone dies from the effects of smoking
- On average, smokers lose more teeth and bone density than non-smokers
- Smokers inhale over 4,000 chemicals into their body per cigarette
- Approximately 90% of people diagnosed with oral cancer are smokers
What are some of the effects of smoking on your oral health?
- More build-up of plaque and bacteria in your mouth
- Increased risk of developing gum disease
- Bad breath
- Discoloured or stained teeth
- Increased risk of oral cancer
How can you quit smoking?
Quitting smoking isn’t easy, and it’s all because of one ingredient: nicotine. Over time, the effects of smoking lead to an emotional and physical attachment to nicotine, resulting in severe mood changes when deprived of it.
If you’re looking to quit smoking, we at 123Dentist want to help you finally kick the habit. We hope these tips will help you take the steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
- Create a plan to quit smoking and remember to have reasonable goals.
- Reward yourself regularly for your efforts.
- Replace smoking with a positive habit, such as exercising or indulging in a hobby.
- Don’t beat yourself up if you make a mistake. Everyone makes mistakes, learn from it and move on.
- Join a support group—whether it’s your friends, family or an official support group, make sure you have someone there that you can rely on and talk to about the challenges you are facing.
- Think positively and believe that you have the ability to quit.
- Keep yourself motivated by constantly reminding yourself of the reasons why you decided to quit in the first place.
- Find a healthy way to cope with the cravings.
If you have any questions or concerns, visit a 123Dentist.com Community Dentist Member near you! We would be happy to help you take the steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
