Stop Smoking And Protect Your Smile

It’s no secret that smoking is harmful, but have you ever wondered why exactly this is? The chemicals found in cigarettes and other tobacco products contain carcinogens and other ingredients that can harm your physical and oral health. In today’s blog, your Encinitas, CA, dentist is here to explain the damaging impact of this habit, from causing gum disease to increasing your risk of cancer.

Tobacco Contains Harmful Ingredients

What causes tobacco to be dangerous to your health? The chemicals that it is composed of are known carcinogens, which are ingredients that can cause cancer, and other substances that can be linked to heart problems, halitosis (bad breath), and much more. Some of the most well-known ingredients in cigarettes are tar and nicotine. Tar is used to ensure cigarettes produce consistent amounts of smoke, but this ingredient is harmful to your health and can also stain your teeth. Nicotine gives users a hit of dopamine which helps them feel good and is highly addictive, making it difficult to stop the habit of smoking. Cigarettes can also contain ammonia, acetone, and many other harmful ingredients.

Smoking Has A Harmful Impact On Your Physical And Oral Wellbeing

Smoking can have a negative effect on your overall wellbeing, from your mental health to your physical health, and much more in between. When you smoke, you chances of heart and lung disease and cancer are increased. This habit can also make it harder to sleep, can worsen feelings of anxiety and depression. When you smoke, it can give you a temporary mood boost, which can cause you to continue the habit to improve your mood. However, this action can lead to your mental health declining over time. The harmful effects don’t just stop here. This habit can harm your smile by staining your teeth which can be hard to remove, increase the chances of gum disease, and put you at risk of oral cancer.

Quitting On Your Own Is Hard, But We Are Here To Help

Studies show that, on average, people begin to smoke during their teenage years. This can make the action hard to quit as the nicotine found in cigarettes is highly addictive. When you try to stop on your own, you may experience side effects such as restlessness, irritability, anxiety, and cravings, which can make it a difficult habit to kick. These side effects may last for a few weeks before they decrease and make the cessation easier. Some methods of quitting involving stopping cold turkey, where you stop doing it suddenly and altogether, or using patches that can help stop your cravings. Your dentist may be able to discuss these options with you and discover which method may be the most effective for your needs.

Talk To Our Team Today!

We understand that quitting on your own can be difficult. For help with smoking cessation or to answer any of your questions, call Dr. Kania in Encinitas, CA, today at (760) 642-0711.