Yet more reasons to quit smoking…
Here are some facts about smoking that you may already be aware of:
- Smoking is related to 1 in 5 deaths in the United States every year. This statistic is greater than the number of deaths caused by, motor vehicle accidents, alcohol consumption, illegal drug use, murders, and suicides combined.
- According to the surgeon general smoking causes over 80 % of lung cancer.
- Smoking raises cholesterol and increases your chance of heart disease and stroke.
- Smoking increases your risk of emphysema and lung disease.
- Smoking has adverse effects contributing to infertility, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Smoking decreases oxygen in the red blood cells.
- Smoking contributes to osteoporosis.
- Smokers are more likely to have increases hair loss and grey hair.
- Smoking prematurely ages you.
But did you know that smoking also has many negative factors in oral hygiene?
- Smoking causes bad breath (haltosis) and a dry mouth (xerostomia). A dry mouth leads to increased cavities in your teeth.
- Smoking causes dark stains on your teeth and increases dental plaque on the tooth surfaces and under the gums. As the plaque worsens it turns into gingivitis and periodontal disease. Advanced periodontal disease will tooth loss.
- Smokers have a lowered success of dental implant osseointegration.
- Smokers are more likely to get dry socket and have a slower healing time.
- People who smoke have an increased risk of oral diseases, such as leukoplakia and oral cancer.
- Smoking can cause inflammation of the esophagus, salvitary glands and tongue.
- Smoking decreases your ability to taste and smell.
- It is important to realize that smoking not only affects you as the smoker but it also affects everyone around you, putting your loved ones at risk.
Sites:
- http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_smoking_reduce_oxygen_carried_in_red_blood_cells
- http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/
- http://www.oralb.com/topics/smoking-effects-dental-health.aspx
- http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/9705.php
- http://www.studiodentaire.com/articles/en/smoking_affects_dental_and_oral_health.
- http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health
- http://www.1800dentist.com/smoking-and-your-oral-health/