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   A Few More Good Reasons To Quit Smoking...

In recent years, millions of Americans have quit smoking-once and for all.  There's no doubt these tobacco-free folks realized that smoking destroys the quality of life.  While there are many reasons people start smoking, there are many more reasons to quit today.

You're probably aware of the link between smoking, lung cancer and heart disease.  But you may not know that smoking contributes to the development of cancers of the kidney, cervix, bladder, pancreas and the stomach!

Smoking can be extremely harmful to your oral health as well.  So if you're looking for a few more good reasons to quit, consider that smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx and the esophagus.  Smokers have a significantly  higher risk of developing oral cancer than nonsmokers.  Unless diagnosed early, oral cancer may require extensive, often disfiguring surgery.  In some cases, the patient is unable to regain the proper use or appearance of the mouth and throat.  Even worse, each year over 8,000 people die from oral cancer and another 30,000 new cases are diagnosed.

    Other Consequences:

Smokers are more likely to have periodontal (gum) disease - and to have it more severely - than nonsmokers.  Gum disease is a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.  Smokers also have larger deposits of calculus (tartar) on their teeth than nonsmokers.

Smoking stains teeth, tooth restorations and the tongue.  It causes bad breath and dulls the ability to taste and smell.  Tobacco smoke can irritate tissues in the mouth and delay tissue healing after a tooth extraction or oral surgery.

    How Does Nicotine Affect The Body?

Nicotine is a powerful, addictive drug that acts on several parts of the body, especially the pleasure centers deep within the brain.  Though many people claim that smoking relaxes them, nicotine is actually a stimulant.  It increases heart rate and blood pressure and it can interfere with hormone and brain activity.

    Addiction:

Leading health organizations agree that tobacco use is addictive- it can cause physical and emotional addiction.  As a smoker develops tolerance to nicotine, more is needed to feel the same physical effect.  Once addicted, it becomes difficult, but not impossible to stop smoking.

    Serious Smoke Signals:

Dentists are trained to diagnose the effects of tobacco, such as cancer in the mouth. 
If you notice any of these warning signs, see your dentist immediately:

• A red sore on your lips, gums or inside your mouth that does not heal within two weeks and may bleed easily.

• White, scaly patches (leukoplakia) inside your mouth or on your lips.

• Swelling or lumps in your mouth, neck, lips or on your tongue.

• Numbness or pain in your mouth or throat without any obvious cause.

• Difficulty chewing or swallowing food.

• Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw.

    Early Detection Can Mean Successful Treatment:

In the early stages of most oral cancers, changes take place in the mucous membrane lining the oral cavity.  These changes are not usually painful and they are often ignored.  Ignoring them could be a serious mistake!  The sooner oral cancer is discovered, the better the chances are for successful treatment.