Smoking and Tobacco

 

What would it take to make you quit? 

What if you looked in the mirror one morning and looking back at you was a face that looked ten years older than it should? What if you looked inside your mouth and saw strange white or dark red patches that didn't seem to go away? What if you knew that those strange looking patches could turn into cancer?

All of those things could happen to you. If you smoke or use tobacco, there's a good chance you already have one of more of the side effects we've described. And that's just from the neck up!

Talk to your dentist

Start out by having your dentist check your mouth to see what damage your smoking may have caused and whether any immediate treatment is necessary. He or she may screen you for oral cancer and periodontal disease. By visiting your dentist, you've started to put together a stop smoking team. Ask your doctor to join the team as well. New treatments and tools are available that can make quitting easier. It's important for your team to have a game plan. Avoiding other sources of stress and getting enough rest are building blocks of your strategy. Talk about what other steps will work for you. Family and friends can also be important team members and fans.