By Arthur Kezian

Are you a pack-a-day smoker? Do you chew tobacco? How much nicotine do you consume? These are all questions that are linked to your oral health, which in turn, is linked to your overall health. Smoking can cause a number of health issues, from something as simple as discolored teeth to more serious problems like gum disease and oral cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, 90% of people who are diagnosed with having oral cancer have used tobacco in some way. The risk of getting oral cancer is about six times among smokers compared to non-smokers. The longer someone has been using tobacco, the higher the risk gets. Smoking does not cause dental decay (cavities), but it can cause gum disease and periodontal problems such as bone loss. The first signs include inflammation of the gums, and with progression, the bone that supports the teeth also becomes inflamed and slowly starts deteriorating. This eventually leads to loss of teeth and damage of the jawbone. To keep yourself in good shape, the obvious answer is to quit smoking. Of course this is easier said than done, but your health is not something to take lightly. If you quit smoking, your risk of oral cancer decreases. A decade after you have quit smoking, your risk for potential oral cancer is that of a person who has never smoked. Check with your dentist about the link between oral cancer and smoking.

You should visit your dentist and make an appointment regularly to keep up with your check-ups. The more involved you are, the earlier you can detect something and work to improve it. Oral health can be checked by your dentist with a regular diagnosis. If you find it hard to quit smoking, and really want to, talk to us if you have any questions about ways to help you quit your habits. It is never bad to ask for help, but it is bad to neglect your health.

Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777