This three-part article series takes an in-depth exploration of the short and long term effects of tobacco addiction upon your oral health.

“Quitting smoking is easy! I’ve done it a thousand times!”

– Mark Twain

As a smoker, you are aware of the various health warnings provided on cigarette boxes. And yet, in spite of the new, more graphic depictions being printed on the packaging of your favorite anytime past-time, you still manage to maintain a distance between yourself and these health warnings. You’re far too young to worry about heart disease, aren’t you?

But what about your teeth?

You don’t need to be a heavy lifelong smoker to begin to see the impact of this habit on your pearly whites, warns the Arlington Texas dentist. Tooth discoloration, chronic bad breath, gum inflammation, taste and smell impediment, dry mouth and ‘black hairy tongue’ are but a few of the ramifications of an addiction to tobacco smoking.

In the first installment of this three-part article series, the Arlington Texas dentist provided an in-depth account of both the short and long term consequences of smoking on your oral health. Now, in this article, the second installment, we shall be focusing more on some helpful oral healthcare recommendations for smokers. Armed with these tips, the Arlington TX dentist hopes that those who have been actively trying to kick the habit (or at least entertaining the idea) will find the resolve to finally do so.

Arlington Texas Dentist: Recommendations

Sure, it’s easy to say “stop smoking,” which is the Arlington Texas dentist’s main recommendation. It’s never too late to reduce and minimize the health risks, so the sooner you do, the less your chance of doing lasting and permanent damage. But quitting is far easier said than done. Most smokers have tried and failed to quit. Most smokers will try many, many times to kick the habit before they finally succeed, remarks the Arlington Texas dentist. Nicotine addiction is only the tip of the iceberg really. Within 72 hours of smoking cessation, all the nasty associated chemicals will have left your body and your physical dependence thereon, beaten. It’s the strong psychological addiction that represents a smoker’s biggest battle, explains the Arlington Texas dentist.

Here are some fundamental oral health and hygiene tips from the Arlington TX dentist for smokers:

• Firstly, it has to be said: Stop smoking or chewing tobacco!

• Be extra strict about keeping those bi-annual appointments with the Arlington Texas dentist and oral hygienist. This will enable him or her to provide the preventative healthcare you need to combat the effects of smoking on your teeth and gums. They’ll also be able to perform thorough checks for oral cancer.

• Maintain a rigorous home oral hygiene routine. As a smoker, you are at a much greater risk of periodontal (gum) disease, explains the Arlington Texas dentist. Due to lower saliva production (the mouth’s natural defense against bacteria), impeded blood circulation and a compromised immune system, smokers will naturally have greater numbers of oral bacteria and therefore, a greater and speedier build-up of plaque and tartar in their mouths. For this reason, it is essential that you brush and floss regularly and thoroughly, advises the Arlington Texas dentist. Also, use a tongue cleaner to scrape bacteria off your tongue and use an anti-bacterial mouthwash as an extra precaution. Complement this routine with regular dental hygiene appointments at the Arlington Texas dentist’s office.

• Learn how to perform a thorough check for oral and throat cancer. According to the Arlington Texas dentist, this involves checking for:

i. Red, white or dark patches on the soft tissues in the mouth (gums, palate, cheeks and on or under the tongue.)

ii. Frequent bleeding in the mouth, says the Arlington TX dentist.

iii. Sores around the mouth, face or neck that persist for more than two weeks.

iv. Numbness, loss of feeling or pain at any location in the mouth, says the Arlington Texas dentist.

v. Bumps, swelling or lumps on the neck, gums, lips, cheeks, tongue, palate or anywhere else in the mouth and on the face.

If any of these patches, sores or bumps do not disappear within two weeks, immediately schedule an appointment with the Arlington Texas dentist. He or she will perform a biopsy on the anomaly to determine whether it is cancerous or not.

Interesting Note: Regular brushing and the fresh, minty, clean feeling it leaves in the mouth can actually help to restrain the urge to smoke, says the Arlington Texas dentist. So, keep a toothbrush and some anti-bacterial mouthwash handy while you battle your addiction and it could provide you with the little extra encouragement you need!

Arlington Texas Dentist: Stay Tuned

Now that the Arlington Texas dentist has provided some tips on how to manage your oral health and hygiene as a smoker, we shall move on to answering some of your frequently asked questions. Stay tuned for the third and final installment of the Arlington TX dentist’s article series on the impact of tobacco use on one’s oral health.

“This two-part article series discusses the importance of proper oral health and hygiene during pregnancy.”

In our previous article post, the Arlington TX dentist discussed the importance of proper oral health and hygiene during pregnancy. A variety of risk factors, such as hormonal changes, morning sickness and sugar cravings, can render a pregnant woman more susceptible to the oral bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontal (gum) disease. Prevention of these oral conditions and prompt treatment in the event that they develop is incredibly important, stresses the Arlington TX dentist, because oral bacterial infections have been linked with premature births and underweight babies. So, what can you as a mother-to-be do to protect not only your oral and general health, but the health of your unborn baby?

Advice from the Arlington Dentist: What You Can Do During Pregnancy

There are a number of measures you can take to protect yourself and your baby:

1. Immediately schedule yourself an appointment with the Arlington dentist. Tell him/her that you are pregnant and they will explain to you what this means for your oral health. The Arlington TX dentist will also mark you down for regular appointments to keep the health of your teeth and gums in top condition.

2. Make sure you brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day or after meals, says the Arlington TX dentist. Cravings are very common for pregnant women and they can hit at unconventional eating hours, so you should really brush 30 minutes after any meal, snack or treat. Waiting 30 minutes allows your teeth time to remineralize, says the Arlington dentist. Brushing immediately after food can hasten the erosion of your dental enamel.

3. Include daily flossing in your hygiene routine, stresses the Arlington TX dentist! And carry around an ADA-approved anti-bacterial mouthwash with you. This will give you the upper edge against the bacteria in your mouth.

4. Try to maintain a healthy diet. Satisfy sugar cravings with healthy options like fresh or dried fruit instead of chocolate and candy, advises the Arlington dentist. If you can’t do without these kinds of indulgences then there are sugar-free chocolates on the market. You may want to stock up on these if you have an insatiable sweet tooth, says the Arlington TX dentist.

Ask the Arlington TX Dentist: What Happens if I Develop Gum Problems During Pregnancy?

Many women worry about what dental treatment will do to the health of their unborn child. And in a move that is incredibly detrimental to their health, they actually opt to wait until they give birth before seeking the attention of the Arlington TX dentist. If you notice inflammation or swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the teeth, then book yourself an appointment with the Arlington TX dentist immediately. There are all sorts of myths surrounding pregnancy and dental treatment. What you need to focus on is maintaining the health of your teeth and gums. Waiting nine months to give birth before you seek treatment can put both you and your unborn baby in danger.

A Final Note from the Arlington TX Dentist

The saying, “one tooth is lost with every pregnancy” is a fallacy, explains the Arlington dentist. With a proper home oral hygiene routine and regular preventative dental treatment, the health of your teeth and gums will not be compromised at all!