National No Smoking Day: Why Quitting Protects Your Smile

National No Smoking Day: Why Quitting Smoking Protects Your Smile

Each year, National No Smoking Day encourages people across the UK to take a step towards a smoke-free life.

Most people know smoking damages the lungs and heart, but fewer realise the serious impact it has on oral health.

At Oswyn House Dental Practice we regularly help patients understand how stopping smoking can dramatically improve their dental health.

How Smoking Affects Your Mouth

Smoking increases the risk of several dental problems, including:

• Gum disease

• Tooth loss

• Staining of teeth

• Persistent bad breath

• Delayed healing after dental treatment

Perhaps most importantly, smoking is the largest risk factor for oral cancer, a serious condition affecting thousands of people in the UK every year.

The Good News: Your Mouth Can Recover

The body begins to heal quickly after quitting smoking.

Benefits for your mouth include:

• Reduced risk of gum disease

• Improved healing after dental treatment

• Fresher breath

• Brighter teeth

If you are thinking about quitting, support is available through your GP and NHS stop-smoking services.

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for both your oral health and overall wellbeing.

Written or reviewed by Jabbar Hussain.

Dentist with over 20 years’ experience in high-end general and cosmetic dentistry.