Smoking + Tobacco Use

The Effects of Smoking on Oral Health

Everyone knows that smoking causes health problems – chewing tobacco, too. In addition to causing cancer and emphysema, tobacco use is linked to heart disease, stroke, diabetes and infertility (among many others!). But the health of your mouth also depends on your tobacco use:

Smoking and chewing cause bad breath and unsightly stained teeth.
Smokers develop plaque and calculus more quickly than non-smokers, which lead to more cavities.
Tobacco use can impede proper healing following any kind of surgery, including oral surgery.
Cigarette and cigar smokers are 4-6x more likely than non-smokers to have advanced periodontal disease, which leads to bone and tooth loss.
Over 36,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year (including cancer of the mouth, throat, tongue and lips), and 90% of those diagnosed with oral cancer are tobacco users.

Oral Cancer Screenings

If you are a tobacco user, you are at greater risk for all types of oral cancer. Dr. Parham regularly performs oral cancer screenings as part of his routine exams. If anything suspicious shows up, we are able to surgically remove any lesions and submit them to a lab for biopsy. If you choose to smoke or chew, take a step of prevention and call (706) 278-5344 for an oral cancer screening with Dr. Parham.

Quit Smoking – We’ll Help!

Dr. Parham and his staff care about your health, and we routinely provide smoking cessation counseling for our patients. If you have decided to quit (for the first time, or the twentieth), we are happy to provide a prescription for smoking cessation aids like Chantix, or refer you to a support program so you can kick the habit.

We’re dedicated to our patients’ total wellness, not just the health of your mouth.

If you’d like to see how Dr. Parham can help you stop smoking or just want to talk it over, Call (706) 278-5344 for a consultation appointment. Stopping smoking can reduce your future health risks and give your smile a brighter future!