World No Tobacco Day 2021 in Port Macquarie: Commit to Quit!

The World No Tobacco Day 2021 theme and year-long global campaign ‘Commit to Quit’ provides a welcome focus on providing essential support to tobacco users to become tobacco-free and begin the path to better health.

On 31 May 2021, there’s no time like the present to kick the habit and start on the path to stop smoking for good.

Top 5 Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

#1 Periodontal Disease

When left untreated, your gums and the tissues surrounding your teeth can become irritated and recede away from the teeth.

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 than non-smokers.
• Smoking limits blood vessel growth, which slows the healing process for damaged gums.
• Fortunately, smokers that quit can return their risk of periodontal disease to that of a non-smoker in about 11 years.

#2 Oral Cancer

More than 28 cancer-causing chemicals are found in smokeless tobacco.

Chewing tobacco and using other tobacco products can cause cancer in the cheeks, gums, and lips.

#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 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.

#5 Bad Breath

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

Stop Smoking Today!

Consult your Port Macquarie dentist to create a quitting plan that’s best for you and your oral health.

Call us on (02) 6105 9853  or request your appointment online.

We are located at 38 Buller St in Port Macquarie.