World No Tobacco Day 2021 in Canley Heights: Commit to Quit!

WHO has recently launched a year-long global campaign for World No Tobacco Day 2021 – “Commit to Quit”.

This yearly celebration aims to support people in their attempt to give up tobacco through various initiatives and digital solutions.

It will help create healthier environments that are conducive to quitting tobacco by:

• advocating for strong tobacco cessation policies
• promoting increased access to cessation services
• raising awareness of tobacco industry tactics
• empowering tobacco users to make successful attempts to quit through “quit & win” initiatives.

Quitting can be very difficult, especially with the added social and economic stress that has come, but there are a lot of reasons to quit.

Here are the top 5 effects of smoking on oral health:

#1 Periodontal Disease

Your gums and the tissues around your teeth can become irritated and recede away from the teeth when left untreated.

The bacteria in plaque is most often the culprit for infection.

You must know:

• Tobacco is a guilty party as smokers who smoke 1.5 packs per day are 6 times more likely to have periodontal disease compared to non-smokers.
• Smoking limits blood vessel growth, which slows the healing process for damaged gums.
• Fortunately, smokers that quit can return their risk of gum disease to that of a non-smoker in about 11 years.

#2 Oral Cancer

Oral cancer develops in any of the parts that make up the mouth.

Oral cancer can occur on the:

• Lips
• Gums
• Tongue
• Inner lining of the cheeks
• Roof of the mouth
• Floor of the mouth

Oral cancer is one of several types of cancers grouped in a category called head and neck cancers. Oral cancer and other head and neck cancers are often treated similarly.

#3 Delayed Healing

Smoking slows down blood flow throughout your oral cavity and thus, delays the healing process.

Because of this, simple dental procedures become more complicated:

• Dental implants would have a higher chance to fail
• Tooth extraction site would be more prone to infection
• Gum disease treatment would be less effective

#4 Stained and Discoloured Teeth

The biggest sources of teeth stains are food (coffee, red wine, etc.) and tobacco. The first is fine in moderation. Tobacco, however, is not.

Nicotine and tar found in cigarettes are doing the staining — from your hands and walls in your home to your pearly whites.

PAY NO GAP Teeth Whitening Take-Home Kit and Bleaching Trays
for patients on Medibank and AHM insurance only

#5 Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Habitual smoking can leave a residual tobacco smell, but bacteria build-up can also cause bad breath or halitosis.

Quit Smoking Today!

Consult your Canley Heights dentist to create a cessation plan that suits you best.

Contact us on (02) 9199 9678 or book your appointment online.

We are located at 1/229 Canley Vale Road in Canley Heights.