How to Quit Smoking: 5 Key Steps to quit smoking

Do you want a healthy life? Do you know that smoking is bad for your health? Opportunities abound for kicking the habit and the dentist through smoking cessation techniques and carefully acquired skills could help with those challenges

Am sure you may be asking how smoking relates to your oral health? Why should the dentist bother about smoking?  It’s widely known that a healthy smile is paramount for most adults. 90% of our clients request for teeth whitening on their first visit at our practice. The teeth are often the first thing people notice when they’re introduced to someone for the first time and nobody wants a smile that is dull or discolored, let alone emits bad breath. The problem is that routine brushing is only half the solution; it doesn’t remove the stains or reduce halitosis by itself. That’s why we encourage you to come in for dental cleaning frequently as these visits can foster a dialogue that opens a path to quitting.

Effects on Teeth and Oral Cavity

• stained teeth (tooth discoloration)
• lead to tooth decay
• bad breath
• gum recession
• diminished sense of taste over time,
• smoking can hinder your immune system
• reduced ability to recover after surgery
• Strongly associated with gum or periodontal disease. This irritation can affect the bone and other supporting structures, and its advanced stages can result in tooth loss.

Please note that cigarettes, Smokeless tobacco and rapid consumption of alcohol have been found to increases your risk of oral cancer as well, which can be aggressive due to the abundance of blood vessels and lymph nodes in your head and neck

In our Smoking Cessation clinic, we carry out the following names;

• interviewing and questioning patients about tobacco use
• Proper medical history taking
• Reviewing triggers
• Stress coping techniques
• Support and trust systems
• Regular follow-up and support

5 Key Steps to quit smoking by the center for disease control and Prevention (CDC)

1. Set a date to quit
2. Background support from family and friends who are positive influencers
3. Practice behavioral distractions and modification of lifestyle
4. Make use of medications – both prescription and over the counter – and use as directed.
5. Prepare for failure setbacks, obstacles or relapses.