Tobacco secession is a challenge facing many people today. Often people try to quit
many times and for many different reasons. Some are quitting because they have been
recently diagnosed with a health condition such as diabetes or heart problems. Others
simply want to be healthier and avoid potential health problems such as Lung Caner
and COPD. There is always a reason to quit, and BBC News just added one more,
dental problems.
Along with the obvious health risks with smoking such as lung cancer and heart
disease, this new study shows an increase in oral cancers, diminished ability of taste
buds and rejection of certain dental procedures. Smoking can also cause the gums to
recede, leaving the roots of the tooth exposed. Implants work in a similar way to
dentures. They are used in people who have lost individual teeth, create a bridge and
to create support and a better fit for older dentures. Implants work by functioning as
the "root" of the tooth because they are made from titanium and are implanted in the
jaw. They are coated with a substance called hydroxyapatite which acts as the same
chemical makeup of our own bones which makes implants more effective than
dentures. A prime candidate for an implant requires good healing and blood flow to
insure the gum tissue heals properly. Occasionally, implants reject, but this happens
more commonly in smokers. Smoking as well as other diseases such as diabetes,
effect how the body heals and how the blood flow, thus resulting in a likely rejection.
The BBC News also reported that if a patient stopped smoking before the procedure
and for at least eight weeks after, allowing the tissue to heal properly, it would greatly
improve their odds for an effective implant. Implant rejection is not the only problem
tobacco users face when it comes to dental care. Other procedures which are effected
by smoking can be something as simple as a filling, teeth removals, and gum disease.
Antibiotics and topical treatments can also become useless because of smoking which
can lead to more serious problems before, during and after dental procedures.
According to a study done by the American Dental Association, 32% of smokers
needed to have a filling replaced, 10.1% needed a tooth extraction and 22.5% needed
a major dental cleaning. Smoking can also be a factor in the loss of jaw bone, gum
disease leading to tooth loss, and increased plaque and tartar build up. According to
WebMD, 90% of patients with oral cancer use tobacco products and of those 90%,
37% who keep using tobacco products after having one cancerous lesion removed will
develop another compared to 6% of those who quit smoking. Tobacco secession is the
only way to combat not only dental problems but other health problems. Quitting is
never easy and a challenge every smoker fears, however almost every smoker fears
cancer too and quitting won't kill, but cancer will. There are many ways available to
quit smoking. Some patients choose to try prescription treatments such as Zyban or
Wellbutrin which can help curb cravings. Others try over the counter treatments such
as the nicotine patch or gum. Other nontraditional treatments include hypnosis,
acupuncture and herbal remedies. Those who are interesting in quitting should speak
with their dentist of physician to develop a plan and find out what works best for the
patient. Since each person is different, each individual plan will be different. Some
people use a combination of treatments to quit. It is important to remember quitting is
never easy but the health risks are just too high to not quit now.
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