Smoking & Your Oral Health:
Smoking can impact your overall health in a variety of ways including:
- Causing oral cancer, the 6th most common form of cancer
- Decreasing the amount of saliva that flows through your mouth. Silvia assists in cleaning your mouth and preventing tooth decay.
- Contributing to inflammation of the roof of your mouth.
- Contributes to bad breath
- May adversely affect your sense of taste
- Causes bad breath
If you want to stop smoking there are many ways that have been shown to be successful including
- nicotine replacement therapies(nasal sprays, inhalers, patches, gum and lozenges)
- prescription medications
- smoking-cessation support groups(in person and online)
- one on one counseling and phone support lines
- meditation based smoking cessation programs and apps
Research has shown that discontinuing the use of tobacco products at any age will improve your health and increase longevity. Â Dr. Andersen or your other health care providers can share more information on how to quit.