How Smoking Affects Your Oral Health and Ways to Quit

Not only will smoking stain your teeth and leave you with bad breath, it can also lead to a range of dental problems. In this guide, we’re making the case for quitting for good by exploring some of the negative side effects of smoking. We’ll also look at some of the most effective methods for quitting, so you can say goodbye to cigarettes for good.

Smoking and oral health

Smoking not only puts you at a higher risk for certain types of cancers, it can also create the conditions in your mouth that could enable gum disease to thrive.

Gum disease is one of the leading causes of tooth loss, and it is very difficult to manage in active smokers. This is because smoking reduces the oxygen levels in your blood, which prevents wounds from healing effectively. As the gums become inflamed, the body cannot fight it, and this causes the gums to recede.

Smoking also makes your mouth more dry, as it leads to a drop in saliva production. Saliva is essential for neutralising acids in your mouth. Without it, your enamel will be more at risk of erosion and this can leave your teeth vulnerable to decay.

Smoking also causes cosmetic problems. Your teeth may become more yellow or brown as a result of the nicotine. This cannot be brushed away and will have to be cleaned professionally using Airflow polishing or teeth bleaching.

Methods for quitting smoking

If you are concerned about your wider health and your oral health, you should take steps to quit smoking. This isn’t easy, as the nicotine in cigarettes is very addictive. This means that your body will crave them when you try to stop.

The first step to quitting is to find your motivation. Finding the motivation will help you to stay on track when your willpower fails you.

Next, you need to find support. You can start by talking to your GP about what support is available to you. You can also talk to your dentist about getting help to quit smoking. We know that it isn’t easy, so we can help you to stay motivated throughout your journey.

Nicotine replacement therapy is also one of the most effective ways to gradually reduce and then quit smoking. This method works by getting nicotine from other sources, such as chewing gum or an inhaler. You should also find a way to keep your hands busy, as you will also find that the habit of smoking is very strong.

How to increase your chances of quitting for good

Another highly effective way to help you to stay on track is to get your teeth looking beautiful and bright. A dental hygienist deep cleaning will help to remove all traces of plaque that has been stained brown by the cigarettes. You can then start a teeth whitening routine to restore the natural whiteness.

This offers great motivation to help you stay on track as you will feel more confident about your smile. This confidence can translate into renewed motivation to remain steadfast as you quit.

Get support from those around you so that you can remain accountable. It’s helpful to be able to lean on support from friends and family throughout the process. You should also look at professional support from your GP, dentist and local support groups.