Are you a smoker and worried about your oral health? According to the Office of National Statistics in 2018, it was reported that 14.4% of adults in England were smokers, 15.9% of individuals smoked in Wales, 16.3% of adults smoked in Scotland and in Northern Ireland the percentage was 15.5%. Despite these figures, more and more people everyday are making an informed choice to quit smoking for good. Cigarette smoking has been proven to harm nearly every organ of the body, including parts of the throat, tongue and soft palate, and affecting your overall oral health. So if you are a smoker and you are thinking of quitting, by visiting our dental practice, Kings Dental Clinic, we will be able to provide smoking cessation in Hammersmith, which can assist you in gradually stopping smoking once and for all.

How tobacco affects our oral health

Frequent cigarette smoking can affect your teeth and gums in a number of ways. The chemicals in tobacco products affect the saliva flow in the mouth, which makes it easier for oral bacteria to stick to our gums and teeth. This can develop into plaque which, if not removed from the teeth or gum line, can harden into tartar, which is also known as calculus. Calculus is much harder to remove so it requires professional cleaning. Smoking can also cause bad breath and stain teeth to a yellow colour.

The normal function of gum tissue can also be affected by smoking, which can cause infections and restrict blood flow. Smokers are said to be three to six times more likely to develop gum and periodontal diseases.  Bacterial infections and periodontal diseases destroy the soft tissue and bone which anchor your teeth to your jawbone. The dental plaque, which forms in the pockets around the teeth, leads to this breakdown of soft tissue and bone. If you suffer from this disease, you may notice in the early stages that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. As the infection develops and worsens, your gums begin to break down, pulling away from your teeth and forming pockets. As the pockets between your teeth and gums deepen, more of the supporting structures are destroyed, which can result in your teeth becoming loose and painful, and in some cases individuals do end up losing their teeth.

There is also an increased risk of developing oral cancer for smokers.

What is smoking cessation?

If you want to stop smoking, our practice, Kings Dental Clinic, offers smoking cessation in Hammersmith, which aims to help beat your addiction and reduce withdrawal symptoms. Our dental professionals believe it is important to inform you of the risks and dangers associated with smoking tobacco, as we understand how important oral health is. By scheduling regular appointments with us we will be able to advise and help you to maintain good oral health and encourage you on your journey to stop smoking.

Ways to improve your oral health

For those who do smoke or use tobacco products, we advise that you brush your teeth twice a day, after breakfast and before you go to bed. It is also recommended for our patients to brush daily, which can contribute in reducing the risk of oral health problems.

So if you are considering stopping smoking for good, rest assured that, at Kings Dental Clinic, our smoking cessation in Hammersmith will be able to provide you with the support needed throughout your journey.