Don’t wait until the end of the year to make “new year new me” resolutions to break bad habits. Instead, start as soon as possible with Stoptober 2022, if you are determined to quit smoking for good. As part of this campaign, smokers are being encouraged to challenge themselves to 28 days without smoking.
Learn more about how stopping smoking can help your oral health and improve your chances of orthodontic treatment below.
What Is Stoptober?
The Stoptober campaign rolls around each October to provide support to smokers looking to quit their habit. Stoptober is great because it provides you with a place to find the guidance you need to stop smoking and offers motivation along the way. The aim of 28 days is set because research has shown that this will make you 5 times more likely to quit for good!
What Are the Effects of Smoking on Teeth?
Most people are aware of the health risks caused by smoking, but not as many people might know about the effects smoking can have on your teeth.
Some of the effects of smoking on teeth include:
- Poor breath
- Discoloured teeth
- Increased plaque and tartar buildup on teeth
- Increased risk of gum disease and oral cancer
- Slower healing after a tooth extraction, periodontal treatment or oral surgery
These are just a few examples of the possible effects of smoking on teeth. If you are concerned that you may be developing any of the above due to smoking and are worried about how it might effect your orthodontic treatment, book an appointment so you can speak with your dentist.
Does Smoking Impact Orthodontic Treatment?
If you have considered enquiring about orthodontic treatment, but are a smoker, there are a few things you need to know first. The effect smoking has on your oral health can also have an impact on your orthodontic treatment. For example, healthier teeth and gums may react better to certain treatments.
Smoking can also lead to plaque buildup in the spaces between your teeth and gums. In addition to weakening your gum tissues, it can also lead to more serious side effects if left untreated. As mentioned earlier, smoking can delay the healing process for a number of procedures too.
If you have undergone orthodontic treatment and it’s finally time to remove your brace, you don’t want to be worried about teeth staining either. Smoking is known to stain your teeth, so this can be made more noticable when you have an outline of where your braces were once fitted.
Where to Find Support When Quiting Smoking
If you need support during your journey to quit smoking for good, research the Stoptober campaign where you will find a lot of support. If you are concerned about the potential effects smoking may have already had on your teeth and your suitability for orthodontic treatment, discuss them with us when booking an appointment.