Smoking and Oral Cancer

 

Quitting smoking can lead to significant improvements in various aspects of your lifestyle and well-being. When you decide to quit, you’ll experience both immediate and long-term benefits.

 

Personal Benefits:

 

  • Financial savings: You will save money by not spending on cigarettes.

 

  • Enhanced taste: Your sense of taste will return, and you’ll enjoy the flavors of food more.

 

  • Improved breathing and fitness: Your lung capacity and overall fitness will improve.

 

  • Better oral appearance: The skin around your mouth and teeth will show improved health.

 

  • Increased confidence: You’ll feel more confident in social situations since you will no longer carry the smell of stale smoke.

 

  • Enhanced fertility and pregnancy: Your fertility levels will improve, increasing the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy and baby.

 

Benefits for Others:

  • Reduced exposure to second-hand smoke: Loved ones will no longer be subjected to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

 

  • Decreased risk for children: By quitting smoking, you’ll lower the chances of your children suffering from illnesses such as bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma attacks, meningitis, and ear infections.

Timeline of Benefits After Quitting:

 

  • 20 minutes: Blood pressure and pulse rate return to normal.

 

  • 8 hours: Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in the blood reduce by half, and oxygen levels normalize.

 

  • 2 days: Carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body, and the lungs begin to clear out mucus and smoking-related debris. Sense of taste and smell improve.

 

  • 3 days: Breathing becomes easier as the bronchial tubes relax and energy levels increase.

 

  • 1-3 months: Circulation improves.

 

  • 3-9 months: Coughing, wheezing, and breathing difficulties improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.

 

  • 5 years: Risk of heart attacks decreases by about 50% compared to a current smoker.

 

  • 10 years: Risk of lung cancer drops to half that of a smoker, and the risk of heart attack is similar to someone who has never smoked.

 

As part of your program, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire to identify the reasons you smoke and your smoking triggers. This information will help the doctor tailor your treatment specifically to address high-risk periods of relapse.

 

The initial consultation lasts for 30 minutes, and you’ll need to attend regular 10-minute appointments once a week to ensure the effectiveness of your treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get mouth cancer from smoking?

Smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer in the mouth, throat and lungs. Oral Cancer can be found in the mouth at the gums, cheeks, tongue, palate or lips. The risk of developing oral cancer are higher in people that smoke and drink alcohol. It is very important that you come for your regular check ups here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic if you are a smoker as we always do a free oral cancer screening.

Why is smoking bad for oral health?

Smoking is the leading cause for oral cancer but can also be a large factor in periodontal disease. The tobacco in smoke can lead to a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream which means that a person with a gum infection or gum disease cannot heal. Periodontal disease is the main cause of tooth loss in adults.

Does Mouth cancer spread fast?

A lot of Oral Cancers are a type called squamous cell carcinoma which usually spread very fast. Smoking and drinking alcohol heavily are the leading causes of oral cancer and can also lead to the cancer spreading faster.

Can you get mouth cancer without smoking?

Mouth cancer can occur in anyone but the risk of oral cancer is a lot higher in people who smoke. If you drink a lot of alcohol but don’t smoke, your risk of oral cancer can still be high. HPV is a virus that can increase your risk of oral cancer too.

What are the symptoms of Oral Cancer?

  • An ulcer in the mouth or on the lip that does not disappear after 10 days or particularly if the ulcer causes no pain
  • A white patch in the mouth
  • A red patch in the mouth
  • swelling in the oral cavity
  • Suddenly dentures are no longer fitting correctly

Get in touch now!

 

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    Smile Hub Dental Clinic, Bayside Medical Centre, Bayside Shopping Centre, Sutton, Dublin 13