Smoke free insights: World Oral Health Day
Today is World Oral Health Day.
Smoking is a well-known contributor to stained teeth and bad breath. However, did you know that smokers are up to six times more likely to develop gum disease, which if left untreated, can lead to permanent tooth loss?
Nicotine constricts blood vessels which reduces blood flow to the gums, whilst the toxins found in cigarette smoke leads to a build-up of plaque on the teeth and damages the gum tissue directly. As smoking also weakens the body’s immune system, this makes it more difficult for the gums to heal once they’ve been damaged.
Research also shows that people with mental health conditions face an even greater risk of gum disease and tooth loss, due to higher smoking rates (up to 70% compared to just 11.9% in the general population) and challenges with maintaining oral hygiene.
Over the last year, Krzys Junak (Tobacco Dependence Advisor across Forensic services) has been encouraging River House patients to access their new mobile dental unit for routine screenings; this has been an important opportunity to raise awareness about the negative impact of smoking on oral health.
Aligning with the dental service (led by the physical health team), has allowed Krzys to open conversations with patients before and after their appointments to offer advice and information about the smoking cessation support available, and to promote positive steps toward better oral health.
If you work for the trust or care for a SLaM patient and would like support, please email us at smokefreeready@slam.nhs.uk
To find your local, free stop smoking service, visit https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/ready-to-quit-smoking/find-your-local-stop-smoking-service/ or download the NHS Quit Smoking app.
