Life is full of ups and downs. There are moments where you will feel overwhelmed with the number of responsibilities and obligations that you have to deal with. As frustrating as this may sound, a good thing is that we are all given the capacity to choose a coping mechanism that works best for us.
Life is full of ups and downs. There are moments where you will feel overwhelmed with the number of responsibilities and obligations that you have to deal with. As frustrating as this may sound, a good thing is that we are all given the capacity to choose a coping mechanism that works best for us.
While other people direct their frustrations and stress into positive activities such as exercise and meditation, some would resort to not so good outlets such as smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol.
As harmless as these habits may seem, we should know that smoking affects the entire body, especially our dental health. Known to affect the lungs greatly among other parts of the body, its effects on our dental health can make a huge impact on a person’s quality of life.
If you have just started or have been smoking for quite a while now, it is recommended that you pay a visit to an orthodontist near you as soon as possible. The direct effects may be subtle, but neglect to the damage this habit causes may escalate into a problematic situation in the future. Hence, it is important to set a routine visit at least twice a year with an orthodontist in Edmonton as this will give you an idea of the risks and existing problems that need to be addressed.
Here are a couple of the problems that smokers encounter. Cigarette smoking causes bad breath, inflammation of salivary gland openings located on the roof of the mouth, an increase in tartar and plaque build-up, tooth discolouration, bone loss within the jaw, white patches inside the mouth, increased risk for gum disease, possible tooth loss, delayed healing for periodontal treatments and tooth extraction, less success rate of dental implant procedures, and an increased risk of developing oral cancer. If you are afraid that you have developed a problem because of smoking, visit an orthodontic clinic today.
How Gum Disease is Developed for Smokers
The main areas affected when you smoke are the bone and soft tissues in your mouth. This occurrence interferes with the normal functioning of gum tissue cells which makes the person susceptible to periodontal disease, impaired blood flow and other types of infections.
A common question asked by many is if pipes and cigars lead to oral health problems. Yes, they do. This can cause tooth loss and alveolar bone loss, plus, people who use this are not exempted from oral and pharyngeal cancer development. Smokeless tobacco is also not exempted. This contains at least 28 chemicals and chewing on this gives you high doses of nicotine–– more than what a regular cigarette has. This is known to irritate the gums and cause them to recede, thereby exposing the teeth over time. It contains grit and sand, which makes it more harmful to the body.
As you can see, no matter which type of tobacco or cigarettes you use, the risks are always there. The bad effects it has on your body can prove to be debilitating and life-threatening in the end. So what advice will an orthodontist in Edmonton give you? Quit.
Getting Rid of the Habit
Since habits are formed through a routine, this may be too hard to stop all at once. A huge amount of discipline is needed to stop it, and good motivation. Studies show that smokers who reduced tobacco use and progressed into eliminating smoking altogether, improved their dental health.
Smoking cessation can be tough, and it is good to know that a professional from an orthodontic clinic can help. They can provide you with recommendations and prescriptions to stop the nicotine cravings. Most of these can be purchased over the counter. The option of joining support groups is also available to those who have been hard-core smokers in the past.
If you do not know where to find them, an orthodontist in Edmonton may be able to help. Other additional alternatives such as hypnosis, herbal remedies and acupuncture can also help. Quitting the habit may take a lot of effort, but the benefits and means that are offered in the end are worth it.
Visit an orthodontic clinic for a check-up to know more about your dental health. This is strongly recommended if you are a smoker. Now is the best time to invest in yourself. Contact a professional today.
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