Quitting Smoking Benefits Your Smile and Gums

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It’s no secret the health benefits of quitting smoking and not smoking at all. Smoking increases an individual's risks of various types of cancer, such as cancer in our lungs, pancreas, stomach and anywhere else in our bodies. Smoking also can lead to respiratory diseases and other different health factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causes many diseases, and reduces the health of smokers in general.” It contributes to causing more than 480,000 deaths each year in the United States. This is nearly one in five deaths.

By quitting smoking, not only does your overall health can improve, your smile and gums benefit as well. Here are a few reasons why smoking impacts your gums, teeth and overall smile in a negative way.

  • Stained teeth and tongue
  • Slow healing after a tooth extraction or other surgery
  • Difficulties in correcting cosmetic dental problems 
  • Gum disease
  • Oral cancer

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htm

Location: Tallahassee, FL, USA

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