Stoptober: How Giving Up Smoking Will Improve Your Dental Health

This October, the national smoking cessation initiative Stoptober returns with the aim of encouraging smokers to give up cigarettes for 28 days.  This blog considers the effect of smoking on dental health.

What is Stoptober?

Stoptober is a campaign led by Public Health England which challenges smokers to give up cigarettes for 28 days during the month of October.  Having abstained for this period of time, individuals are 5 times more likely to quit smoking permanently.

Participants can sign up on the NHS Stoptober page to access a number of free resources to encourage smoking cessation, including a mobile phone application and signing up for reminder texts and email services.

Dental hygiene and smoking

Smoking can cause many serious problems for teeth and other oral structures.

In particular, smoking is linked to the following dental problems:

• Increased risk of developing oral cancer
• Increased build up of plaque and tartar
• Tooth discolouration
• Increased risk of developing gum disease, which can lead to tooth loss
• Delayed healing process following tooth extraction, periodontal treatment or other oral surgery

Are e-cigarettes, pipes and cigars as damaging?

Smoking a pipe or cigars presents many of the same risks as smoking cigarettes. Pipe and cigar smokers are still at risk for mouth and throat cancers even if they do not inhale.

There is a lack of long term studies on the effects of e-cigarettes on dental health.  However, it appears that the risks are certainly reduced compared to traditional cigarettes, pipes and cigars.

Improving oral health of smokers

Quitting smoking is the most effective way to ensure better oral health.  However, for those who are unable or are unwilling to abstain from smoking there are steps that can be taken to minimise the risks to your teeth.

• Whilst regular appointments are important for everyone, it is vital that smokers do not skip regular check ups with their dentist.  Routine dental appointments allow your treating dentist to monitor for signs of developing gum disease and oral cancers.

• Smokers can also benefit from professional cleaning.

• There are a range of mouthwashes and other products that are targeted just for smokers and specifically strive to address the damage caused by smoking.

• Smokers should also perform oral health check ups on themselves on a regular basis.  It is advisable to keep an eye on any areas of discolouration inside the mouth, any lumps, sores or recurrent bleeding.

Along with colleagues at the Dental Negligence Team, I fully support the Stoptober campaign in the hope that it will raise awareness of the damage that smoking can have on your dental health.  If you are a smoker it is important to discuss this with your dentist and hygienist so that they are aware and can offer you tailored advice to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.