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Still Smoking? Your Oral Health Is a Great Reason to Quit

Recent figures released by the Health and Social Care Information Center show that more than 1.6 million people were admitted to hospital due to problems caused by smoking, and cancer accounted for 11% of this total. Apparently the number of young people smoking is now higher than the number of adults who still smoke at 23% compared to 20%. Even though the number of smokers has fallen over in recent years, the incidences of mouth cancer have risen considerably over the last decade, by almost 50%. This recent increase in the number of people being admitted to hospital due to problems created by smoking seems to indicate that this upward trend is set to continue for at least the near future. Some 18 people are diagnosed with mouth cancer each day in the UK, and it now affects more than 6500 people. The condition is often caused by smoking and tobacco use. The figures are even more worrying if you happen to smoke and drink to excess, as you are up to 30 times more likely to develop mouth cancer.

Mouth Cancer Action Month takes place this November

We’re coming up to Mouth Cancer Action Month which takes place in November, and if you’re thinking about quitting then now could be a good time to plan to do so, as is estimated two out of three smokers would prefer to kick the habit. If you’re not quite ready to do so, then don’t forget to have regular checkups at Leeds City Dental care as screening for mouth cancer is an important part of your preventative dental care regime, and is something that carried out as standard. Dr David Brown or another dentist in Leeds will carefully check all your oral tissues, and this includes your tongue, the inside of your cheek, underneath your tongue, and the roof of your mouth. In addition, you can help yourself by checking these tissues once a month for any signs of abnormalities. This could be a change in the colour of the tissues, or noticing you has a sore spot that fails to heal within a couple of weeks, or that an area feels slightly rough or thickened to the touch.

Reduce Your Risk of Gum Disease through Quitting Smoking

In fact smoking does nothing for your oral health; as well as increasing the risk of oral cancer, it also increases the likelihood that you’ll develop gum disease or at the very least your teeth will become stained with nicotine. If you have already lost teeth and are thinking about having dental implants in Leeds, then you’ll almost certainly be told you need to quit smoking before and. This is because the habit affects the way your gum tissues heal, as your body is less able to deliver essential nutrients and vitamins to the damaged tissues because smoking constricts the blood vessels. There’s very little to recommend smoking when you think about it, as is also well known for causing bad breath, and as there are so few places where you can actually smoke these days you might find it easier just to give up completely. If you’re finding it difficult, then sit down and do a few quick calculations as to how much you spent each week, month or year as it might surprise you. It could be enough to pay for that dream holiday, or maybe a quick smile makeover Leeds City Dental care to help rejuvenate your newly healthy mouth.