If you have been thinking about quitting smoking for a while now, but are unsure what routines to put in place to help you to stay on track, research the 28 day challenge. As part of Stoptober 2022, smokers are being challenged to stop smoking for a 28 day period as it is believed that this is how long it takes to form a habit.
Smoking can affect many areas of our health, including the effects of smoking on teeth and orthodontic treatments, which is what we will be exploring in this blog.
Motivate Yourself to Quit
The Stoptober campaign rolls around annually at this time of the year, providing guidance to those wanting to quit smoking and offering education and encouragement to those who haven’t yet considered quitting.
While 28 days without smoking may seem quite long and therefore daunting, there are tips and support available to help you to stay motivated. Research has shown that you are 5 times more likely to quit for good if you stick to it for 28 days, so those statistics alone should be encouraging you to give it a try!
Effects of Smoking on Teeth
While the effects on smoking on your body may be more common knowledge, many people may be unaware of the effects of smoking on teeth. These effects include:
- Stained teeth
- Bad breath
- Tooth loss
- Increased risk of oral cancer
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Reduced blood supply to your mouth
- More build up of tooth plaque and tartar
- Slowed down healing process after dental extractions and oral surgery
Expanding on the above, smoking tobacco can lead to a lack of oxygen in your bloodstream, which can then result in infected gums struggling to heal. Gum disease is also known to progress quicker in smokers, when compared to non-smokers. Gum disease can also lead to futher issues, including tooth loss.
The above side effects could also affect your orthodontic treatment, as you need healthy teeth and gums to undergo treatment. In addition, with the staining smoking can cause, you should consider how this may look if you wear braces. Once your braces are removed, do you really want to be left with stains which show where your dental braces were?
Receiving Dental Advice
As a smoker, it is natural to be concerned about the effects smoking may have already had on you. Also, if you were considering orthodontic treatment you may want to learn more about your suitability as a smoker. While booking a routine dental check is already advised, monitoring the effects quitting smoking is having on your teeth should prompt you to book an an appointment. This will provide you with the opportunity to speak with your dentist or orthodontist about your concerns.
If you are interested in orthodontic treatment, book an initial consultation with our team to discuss the results you are looking for and if you qualify for treatment.