The damage that smoking can cause to our heart and lungs is well known. However, many smokers do not realise that smoking also causes significant damage to their mouths.
Recent studies have shown that smokers, who suffer with gum disease, and smoke, can increase the effects of the condition by 700%, compared with people who do not smoke. This is one of the reasons that the dentists at StoneRock Dental Care, offer smoking cessation advice as part of our tailor-made dental care plans.
Unfortunately it is not only our gums which suffer. Smoking damages the salivary glands that are in the soft tissues of the mouth. As these salivary glands deteriorate, the flow of saliva produced, is reduced and the mouth becomes very dry. Saliva provides the body’s natural defence against tooth decay, so people who suffer from dry mouths, find that their level of tooth decay increases.
Added to this, smoking greatly increases the risk of oral and throat cancer, stained teeth and damage to our taste buds. You can see that there are plenty of reasons to give up smoking!
If you would like to know more about the help that is available, for people trying to stop smoking, please make use of the links provided. Alternatively if you would like to talk about giving up smoking with one of our clinical team, they will be happy to help you.
Action on Smoking and Health: www.ash.org.uk
If you would like more information or to make an appointment at our Dental Practice in Hawkhurst, Kent please contact our Reception Team on 01580 752202 or info@stonerock.co.uk who will be more than happy to help with any matter.