Smoking and Your Family Dentist
Cincinnati family dentists Dr. Tara Hardin and Dr. Gary Hardin observed with interest earlier this year the results of the Surgeon General’s 50th Anniversary Report on Smoking and Health.
We all know that smoking is bad for our bodies, not to mention the bodies of those around us because of the damage caused by secondhand smoke.
But you may be surprised to learn just how bad smoking can be for your oral health. Some of the possible oral health problems that result from smoking cigarettes and using other tobacco products include:
- Stained teeth and tongue
- Dulled sense of taste and smell
- Slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery
- Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems
- Gum disease
- Oral cancer
Some people say they never have done anything as hard as kicking a cigarette or tobacco habit. But studies show this step is the single best thing you can do for better health and a longer life.
When you’re ready to quit, record the reasons why, and make a plan for how. Develop a quit-smoking support network. Exercise and chewing gum are also powerful tools to counter the urge to smoke.
To find out more about oral health and smoking, contact Hardin Advanced Dentistry today or call (513) 234-5531. We proudly serve patients in Mason and the Cincinnati area.
