Your oral health and smoking cessation go hand in hand. A healthy smile is a happy one, but smokers are more likely to develop swollen gums, gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer. Read on to learn how smoking affects your oral health and how you can fix it.
How It Happens
For a lot of people, it may seem like oral pain comes out of nowhere once you quit smoking. This happens because when you smoke, your gums develop a protective coating which masks the painful side effects your mouth experiences. In short, smoking weakens your immune system, which leaves your mouth open to infections.
Start Early
The earlier you start to develop an oral health routine the better, even before you quit smoking! Schedule a dentist appointment to get your teeth, gums and tongue thoroughly checked, and make sure to use mouthwash and floss everyday.
Eat Good Foods
While nothing can replace regularly brushing your teeth, there are foods you can eat to help your oral hygiene. Crunchy fruits and vegetables, cashews and water are a few examples of food you can eat that will improve your oral health while you quit.
Take Your Vitamins
A key factor to keeping your mouth in tip top shape is to ensure you are getting the nutrients you need. Vitamin A, B, C, D and calcium are important for keeping gums healthy and tooth decay at bay. Smoking will weaken your gums over time and it’s essential that steps are taken to combat any damage done.
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort with your teeth either after or during your journey to become smoke free, know that it’s completely normal and expected. Having a healthy and happy smile is not something that can happen overnight, but the benefits of quitting smoking heavily outway the negatives. To get your oral health to its peak condition, it’s important to give your body what it needs. Our Libertas Replenish product can help your teeth and gums, and reduce your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Learn more about our products today!
