Smoking and oral health are very closely linked. Most smokers know the risks of lung cancer and heart disease – but smoking also poses a significant threat to oral health.
Studies show that tobacco may be a major cause of gum disease and the resulting loss of teeth. It’s true that gum disease can be stabilised with treatment, but the chemicals in tobacco can slow down the healing process – so if you carry on smoking after treatment, the results will be less predictable.
A smoker is also much more likely to develop oral cancer. Unfortunately this is one of the most dangerous types of cancer, and the survival rate is very poor. At every examination, we routinely check for signs of oral cancer, which is why we like to see our patients at regular intervals.
At uSmile we encourage our smoking patients to give up the habit – although we fully appreciate that this can be quite a challenge. As a first step, we suggest that you try some of the support and resources provided by the Government.
Read more:
Smokers Advice: Bridgend Local Health Board
More About Oral Cancer
