Great American Smokeout
When most people think of tobacco-related health issues, they think of lung cancer, heart disease or emphysema. What many people do not realize is that using tobacco products greatly increases the risks of gum disease and tooth loss too!
Studies have found that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in the development of periodontal disease. Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection. It destroys soft tissue and bone that anchor your teeth to your jawbones.
Not only are smokers more likely to have gum disease, it tends to be more severe than non-smokers. Additionally, people who smoke or use tobacco are harder to treat because use of tobacco hinders the mouth’s ability to heal properly.
The greatest threat of tobacco use to the mouth, however, is oral cancer. People who use tobacco, including smokeless tobacco, are 50 times more likely to develop some type of oral cancer!
The good news is that it’s not too late. Studies have shown that people who quit smoking dramatically lower their risk of gum disease and cancers. Even reducing your tobacco use can help. By cutting your tobacco use in half, you can greatly reduce your risk of disease. But quitting altogether is your best defense against gum disease and oral cancer!
Each year, the third Thursday of November welcomes the Great American Smokeout to the calendar – a nationwide opportunity for those of us who want to give up smoking. For more information please visit the Great American Smokeout site.
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