Care for smokers

Last week, I spoke about consequences that smokers often suffer; so, this week we will look at solutions.

What Can Be Done To Prevent These Problems

1. The best solution for reducing these problems is to quit smoking. But a smoker has to face a large number of challenges while deciding to quit smoking. The challenge lies in both physical and emotional dependency caused by the nicotine in cigarettes.{{more}}

a) Withdrawing from the use of cigarettes can result in nausea, headaches, tremors, or even cold sweats.

b) The emotional withdrawal may include depression, irritability, nervousness, fatigue and a lack of concentration.

Understanding the challenges involved when a person plans to quit smoking, health care communities have come up with various solutions for the smokers planning to quit this habit. This includes using some medications, such as Xyban plus Patches. This combination has by far proved to be most effective for smoking cessation.

On an average, a person gets into the habit of smoking six times a day, before getting into a complete quitting situation. But the success rate multiplies with the passing of each day.

2. Regular dental check-ups, once every three months must be performed for examining any traces of oral cancer. This must also involve a professional cleaning.

3. Use ultrasonic toothbrush to brush your teeth twice a day, particularly in that area where tobacco is chewed. It is also essential to brush your teeth before getting to bed. Minimum two to five minutes must be devoted to brushing the teeth. Gumline must be thoroughly cleaned. You can consider using a timer, as generally people brush for just 20 seconds.

4. Use floss every day.

5. Alcohol free mouthwash must be used that also has some antibacterial agent.

6. Perform a self-evaluation for checking for traces of oral cancer:

a) Keep a check for sores developing on neck, face, or mouth that fail to heal within a period of two weeks.

b) Mouth bleeding at regular intervals.

c) Red, white, or any other dark patches developed in the mouth.

d) Keep checks for any swellings, bumps, or lumps developing on the gums, lips, or any other area in the mouth.

e) Pain, numbness, or loss of sensation experienced in any region inside the mouth.

f) If you find any unusual signs on the tongue or the floor of the mouth, you must immediately get in touch with a dentist.

How Can Smokers Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Primarily, you need to know the ways in which smoking can result in bad breath.

Mouth gets dry due to smoke. The regular flow of saliva is stopped from cleansing the teeth. Bacteria grow in a dry mouth and will result in a bad odour.

Smoking also results in raising the mouth temperature, thus damaging the oral tissue cells. This facilitates a free movement of bacteria in the mouth, as the saliva meant for protecting the mouth is absent.

Quitting smoking is the best and the only way to get rid of this problem.

Regularly brushing the teeth is another way to get rid of the problem of bad breath.

Regularly sing a mouthwash is also recommended to rinse off the harmful chemicals transferred into the mouth.

Another method will be to use a chewing gum with a strong flavour.

A smoke screen gum can also be used for refreshing the bad breath. It is an expensive solution, with another disadvantage that the bad breath will recur after smoking another cigarette.

Next week, we continue with lip and teeth care.

Dr Keith John

Email: drkeithjohn@gmail.com

Clinic: Heritage Dental

Tel: 784-456-2220

Cell: 784-526-0752