About Smoking
Sure, you've heard all about the many maladies that are either directly attributable to, or worsened by, smoking--heart and circulatory problems, cancer, even libido decreases. But, what about your dental health? Did you know that smoking has a huge negative impact there too? Smoking-related oral-health problems caused by or correlated with smoking include all of the following problems:
- Oral cancer
- Periodontal (gum) disease -- a leading cause of tooth loss and hot/cold sensitivity
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Stained teeth and tongue
- Diminished sense of taste and smell
- Delayed healing of any wound in the mouth, including after tooth extraction or dental surgery
- Difficulties in the correction of cosmetic dental problems
- Tartar buildup on the teeth
- Fewer options for some kinds o dental care. (Smokers can be poor candidates for some dental procedures.)
But, hey, even if you don't get cancer of the mouth, you'll look great with missing teeth, not to mention having the rest of your teeth stained a "loverly" dark brown--what a magnet for members of the opposite sex! And after all, who wants to know what the food really tastes like? And besides, you know your family and friends all just love the way you reek of tobacco smoke when you come around--talk about winning friends and influencing people! Just keep spending that money on tobacco--what else would you use it for? (Want to really increase your chances of having cancer in your mouth? Drink while you're smoking--what a way to go...early!)
Here are some things to help you stop smoking:
- Sit down and write a list of reasons you want to stop smoking
- Set a day to quit smoking--avoid any stressful or difficult things you know are coming--and force yourself to do it "cold turkey."
- Consider joining a group dedicated to stopping smoking--sometimes support can help
- Ask for support and help from your family, friends, doctor, dentist, pastor, and co-workers.
- Studies have shown that exercise can help with lots of health-related things--including stopping smoking. Not only that, people who are stopping smoking tend to eat like little pigs. The food tastes good again and often they allow eating to replace smoking as their "comfort habit." This, of course, makes them grow fat. Exercise alone will not prevent this, but it will help you avoid the problem.
- Part of the problem you'll experience is the habit of having something in your mouth--try using sugarless gum when you have the urge for a smoke.
- Never carry tobacco or any of the things associated with smoking--matches, lighter, etc.
- Smoking is highly addictive, so don't hesitate to use every resource you can lay your hands on to help you beat it.
- Ask your physician or dentist to prescribe a pharmaceutical aid designed to help people stop smoking.
- Even months later you will find the urge for tobacco nagging at you. Remember that it is easier to stay stopped than to try to stop again--just turn away from it--but if you do have a setback, the sooner you stop again the easier it will be--never give up and you can beat the habit!
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