What appears to be an attention-seeking, peer-validating, and cool-looking stunt turns out to be detrimental to health in the long run.
Amongst many factors that are injurious to health, smoking overtakes all when it comes to the oral cavity.
For many years, we have been seeing warning signs on cigarette packets that graphically state the ill effects of smoking; but does that really change the thought process of a smoker?
Clouded by external influences, today’s generation considers smoking as an act of bravery. When advised on quitting, they tend to ignore it.
Hence, it’s important that trained personnel who are responsible and educated enough regarding the same context should guide them in the right direction.
Smoking is associated with a wide spectrum of diseases including cancers of the mouth and lungs, long-term respiratory diseases, heart diseases, strokes, infections, and dental problems.
To dive deep into dental problems associated with smoking, endless books and literature are available that explain the statistics, mechanisms of damage, and short and long-term effects of smoking.
It has been witnessed that smokers are at a higher risk of developing mouth cancer, gum problems, losing teeth, decay on the roots of the teeth, complications, after tooth removal, and oral surgery.
Gum disease is most common in smokers because of bacterial build-up in the mouth and gums, which eventually leads to inflammation and the downfall of the integrity of oral health.
The mainstream component of cigarettes is nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide.
Nicotine reduces the amount of oxygen delivered to the gums or soft tissue in the mouth. The effects are much like that of a dry mouth.
Other symptoms of the same include yellow or brown teeth, bleeding gums, tooth decay, hardening of plaque, and dry mouth.
It can also harm adolescent brain development, which can continue into the early to mid-20s.
Smoker's life expectancy is reduced to a greater degree than for non-smokers.
“You’re always better off if you quit smoking; it’s never too late.”-Anonymous
The crucial step involved in quitting process is a willingness to quit the smoking habit.
With increasing awareness day by day, the sources of help have also spiked up.
Various counselling centres are available to help smokers who are willing to quit.
Quitting the act of smoking is not a one-day activity. It involves multiple counselling sessions and other methods such as nicotine replacement.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can help with difficult withdrawal symptoms and cravings that most people say are their only reason for not giving up tobacco. Using NRT reduces those symptoms.
Nobody succeeds on their first try. In fact, people trying to quit usually need many tries before they’re able to quit for good.
Most people who try to quit on their own go back to smoking within the first month of quitting–often because of the withdrawal symptoms.
But the good news is that many do succeed!