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Tobacco's Effect on The Mouth
- Oral cancer
- Bad breath or halitosis
- Black hairy tongue
- Gum recession - especially with chewing tobacco, the gums recede away from where you place the tobacco, exposing the roots
- Delayed healing of the gums
- Increased severity of periodontal disease
- Nicotinic stomatitis (smoker's palate) - inflammation of salivary gland openings on the roof of the mouth
- Staining
- Tar deposits remaining on the teeth
Why Quit?
The most significant preventive measure that you can do to reduce your chances of developing oral cancer is to stop using tobacco products. Once you stop, the risk of developing cancer drops rapidly. After about 10 years of discontinued use, your risk is similar to that of someone who has never picked up a cigarette.
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Aids to Help You Quit
Many smoking cessation aids are on the market to help overcome nicotine dependence, however, please note that only about 10% of quitters are successful using nicotine replacement alone. The success rate increases to 20% if nicotine replacement is used in combination with a smoking cessation support program.
Nicotine gum is available in either mint or fruit flavors and in two strengths, the stronger of the two is recommended for those smoking more than 25 cigarettes/ day. Pieces are to be chewed slowly over approximately 30 minutes, using a "chew, chew, park" (placement between gums and cheek) technique. Chewing too fast releases too much nicotine over too short a time period and can result in hiccups, nausea, headache or dizziness.
Nicotine transdermal patches release nicotine into the body through the skin at a constant rate. The product comes in a high, medium, or low strength (based on the amount you smoke); it is gradually tapered-off in decreasing strengths over 6 to 12 weeks. While gum is useful for those who smoke now and then, skin patches are recommended for people who smoke regularly.
Bupropion (Zyban) is a nicotine-free medication which helps reduce withdrawal symptoms and the smoking urge. Available by prescription only, it's as effective as nicotine patches. Potential side effects include dry mouth, shakiness, insomnia, and skin irritation. Individuals with seizures, eating disorder (bulimia, anorexia), or those taking MAO inhibitors (i.e, as for depression) should not take bupropion.
Herbal remedies, such as lobelia and herbal cigarettes, are available. Hypnosis and acupuncture are other alternatives to medication. Combinations of nicotine patches and gum, or bupropion and nicotine patches, have been used successfully in very heavy smokers, however, since some combinations could result in excessive nicotine intake, combined treatments are NOT advised without first consulting your physician.
nicotine inhalers
nicotine nasal sprays
All of these aids are beneficial if the individual is motivated and if they're used in conjunction with counseling and/or self-help groups.
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Stop buying cigarettes by the carton! Basically, come up with ways to make your access to them more difficult; wait until you've smoked the last cigarette from a pack before you pick up another pack from the store. Also, try switching brands to your least favorite.
If you're going to smoke, try smoking only under circumstances that you generally wouldn't want to.
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Stop emptying your ash trays. Use them as a visual reminder of your commitment to quit. However, your family/ roommates may find this a little disturbing.
Break up the ritual. Use the opposite hand to smoke.
Set a number. Choose how many cigarettes you will smoke tomorrow. For each additional cigarette smoked, force yourself to do something distasteful - like an extra 1/2 mile on the treadmill, etc.
Smoke only half of each cigarette, then throw it out.
Postpone lighting up for 1/2 hour, then an hour, etc.
Make a list of which foods lead to cravings and avoid them.
Oral Cancer Self-Examination
If you notice a lesion or sore spot that doesn't go away after 2 weeks, make an appointment with your dental office for a consultation immediately. Early detection is the key.
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Note: It is important to note that
before beginning any course of treatment you should see your
dentist. Please note that without the benefit of a full dental
examination, including a review of medical history, dental x-rays,
and diagnostic aids, no attempt can be made to provide specific
diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. However, we will be
happy to update our site to include topics you feel deserve
mention. contact us |
