Oral problems that lurk in active smokers and tricks to treat them

Given that the rate of active smoking in Indonesia is quite high (around 65 million smokers per day), awareness about oral health needs to be increased. This is because smokers are more susceptible to oral health problems than those who do not. Check out the following reviews that discuss what conditions are commonly experienced by smokers along with tips on care to preventive measures.

Various oral problems experienced by active smokers

Smokers themselves must have known that this habit is detrimental to health. So do not be surprised if smoking can also trigger problems in the area of ​​the teeth and mouth (oral). What are some of them?

Tooth stains (yellow teeth)

This condition may be quite easy to find and experienced by many active smokers. According to the Oral Health Foundation, this yellow discoloration of teeth occurs due to the nicotine and tar content in the sticky cigarette.

The process of sticking this stain can happen quickly. So it's no surprise that some active smokers have teeth that are almost brown after smoking for years.

Periodontal (gum) disease

Reporting from the CDC page, gum disease (also called periodontal disease) is an infection of the gums that can affect the bone structure around the teeth.

Gum or periodontal disease occurs when bacteria adhering to the teeth enter the gum area. When these bacteria are left alone, plaque and tartar (hardened plaque) will build up and trigger the initial phase of gum disease called gingivitis.

In severe cases, gum disease is also known as periodontitis and can cause the bone and tissue that holds the teeth to break.

Active smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease. Plus, smoking can worsen minor infections and make it harder to recover.

Bad breath

The smoke from cigarettes has left an unpleasant odor in the mouth. Plus, the American Dental Association states that smoking can cause dry mouth and this is one of the causes of bad breath.

Apart from that, the gum disease discussed earlier can also trigger bad breath as it is a symptom of the disease.

Oral cancer

Oral cancer includes cancerous growths that occur on the tongue, cheeks, lower or upper part of the mouth, and lips. It should be noted, quoted from the website of the Department of Health & Human Service Australia, 75 percent of people with oral cancer are active smokers.

People who smoke 40 cigarettes and drink 4 glasses of alcoholic beverages per day have a 35 times greater risk of developing oral cancer.

Therefore, the smoking habit should be stopped as soon as possible. It may be difficult, but it is advisable to start by reducing the frequency and quantity each day.

Tips and tricks for the care and prevention of oral problems in active smokers

Basically, doing regular cleaning to maintain healthy teeth and mouth is the main key to treatment and prevention of various oral problems. However, active smokers need to take extra care because they are more at risk.

For more details, here are tips and tricks that can be applied in your daily routine:

• Brush your teeth twice a day. Don't be in a rush to brush your teeth. Do it for at least 2 minutes to be thorough and make sure to clean the tongue too.
• Get into the habit of flossing . Technique flossing or using braces can remove food debris that is between the teeth.
• Complete with antiseptic mouthwash (antiseptic mouthwash). Mouthwash can help clean your mouth thoroughly, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
• Do it regularly. All of the above treatment steps will be in vain if not done regularly. This is emphasized especially in active smokers and those who are trying to quit.

In addition, the selection of products and equipment for maintaining oral health is also important. Use a brush with soft bristles and also a paste containing fluoride.

When choosing a mouthwash, be sure to read the content and benefits provided by certain products. Choose a mouthwash that can reduce 99.9% of germs that cause mouth problems to help reduce the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease.

Come on, stop smoking!

Last and perhaps the hardest thing to do is to quit smoking. You can try the following tricks from the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario:

• Drink lots of water. Add crushed ice to help accelerate the loss of nicotine from the body. Water with ice can also help fight smoking cravings for active smokers.
• Take a deep breath. When you want to take a break, take a deep breath instead of going to smoke a cigarette. Do this 10 times, and hold the last one while lighting the picket. Exhale slowly while blowing the fire.
• Postpone the urge to smoke. Delay the time to light your first cigarette for one hour each day. When the urge comes back, delay it for 15 to 30 minutes.
• Distract yourself. When you want to smoke, do a new activity. For example, by exercising, reading, or listening to music.

Based on a 2018 study examining the impact of smoking on oral health, smoking is one of the leading preventable causes of death.

Therefore, we need self-awareness that smoking is a habit that is very detrimental to health. That way, active smokers can be more motivated to quit.

Plus, the mouth is one way of entering germs into the body. If hygiene and health are not maintained, do not be surprised if you are prone to catching diseases.