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Stop smoking and improve your oral health

The British Dental Health Foundation has recently spoken out in support of proposed measures from the Royal Society of Public Health to change the way in which tobacco is sold and to extend smoking exclusion zones.

Everyone knows now that smoking is bad for you, but the effect that tobacco can have on your oral health is often overlooked. We have seen countless patients at our Bristol dental practice who have had to undergo extensive cosmetic or restorative dental work as a direct result of smoking.

Teeth staining

One of the most common treatments undergone by smokers at our Bristol dentist clinic – or, more commonly, ex-smokers, as continuing to smoke will render the treatment ineffective in the long run – is teeth whitening. Over time, nicotine will stain your teeth yellow, meaning everyone can see you are a smoker. Teeth whitening is a great way to deal with this, but stopping smoking is the best way to prevent the problem from recurring.

Gum health

It is not just your teeth that are involved in good oral health, however, and gum disease is one of the major effects that smoking can have on your mouth. People who smoke are more likely to produce a bacterial plaque that leads to gum disease, and smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, meaning the gums don’t heal as easily.

Mouth cancer

By now we are all aware that smoking causes lung cancer, and most people know it causes throat cancer too. But did you know that smoking is also one of the major causes of mouth cancer? The early signs of mouth cancer can be detected by a dentist – watch out particularly for mouth ulcers that don’t heal – so if you are concerned, book an appointment at our Bristol dentist clinic today.

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do for your oral health. The new recommendations include the sale of nicotine replacement products and e-cigarettes everywhere that tobacco is sold, so if you are a smoker, why not consider opting for an alternative next time you pop to the shops to stock up?