No Smoking Day: Quit to Improve your Oral Health
The best way to maintain your oral health is to get into good habits: that means twice-daily brushing, flossing and regular trips to the dentist. There are also some bad habits that you might want to ditch. Stopping smoking will significantly improve your oral health. Why not give it a shot this No Smoking Day?
National No Smoking Day
This year, no smoking day falls on 8th March. The national campaign aims to encourage smokers to quit for a day and think about the benefits of quitting for longer. Stopping smoking is associated with increased health especially of the lungs, trachea and buccal cavity.
Effects of Smoking on Oral Health
Campaigns such as National No Smoking Day have done an excellent job of raising awareness of the effects of smoking on health. The link between smoking and various cancers is long established, but the habit also has a deleterious effect on oral health. As well as the teeth staining and bad breath, smokers are more likely to experience plaque and gum disease and they are slower to recover from infections. In serious cases, smokers can develop cancer of the mouth.
Quitting for a Day
Quitting smoking for a day gives the smoker a chance to contemplate the smoking-free life. The effects of being a long-term smoker aren’t going to disappear in a day, but the abstainer may notice some short-term benefits – such as breath that stays fresher for longer – that might encourage them to kick the habit for good.
Maintaining Oral Health
Dentists check that you are properly maintaining your oral health. In your regular examination, your dentist can look for early signs of gum disease and tooth decay. The earlier any severe problems are detected, the more quickly the patient can be given the proper treatment. Cancer is more likely to be treatable if it is caught in the early stages.
A Healthy Plaque-Free Mouth
Stopping smoking and starting or continuing a good routine of brushing and flossing will set you on the path to a healthy plaque-free mouth. Make sure you are visiting your dentist for regular check-ups.
If you would like further advice on dental hygiene, book an appointment for a chat with our team of dental hygienists who can offer a high-quality level of care tailored specifically to your needs.