Not being able to find a right time and I’ll start on Monday are excuses that if not all, most of us are guilty of using. So, this is Stoptober’s invite to you, to join millions of people around the world with the same excuse to finally quit smoking. The right time is this October and we’re starting on a Tuesday.
What is Stoptober?
Stoptober is an annual campaign which encourages people to take part in a 28-day smoke free challenge (those who go smoke free for 28 days are 5x more likely to quit for life). Here at Brixworth Dental we have made it easier for you to take part by creating a Stoptober Calendar free for you to download!
What impact does smoking have on oral health?
There are the more obvious impacts smoking has on oral health, for example, stained teeth and bad breath, which are easier to reverse with regular hygiene visits and a good oral health routine. However there are more severe impacts which occur behind the scene and often go unnoticed - gum disease, bone loss and oral cancer. Bleeding gums are usually an obvious sign of gum disease however with smokers their blood vessels are restricted which means they may find that this physical symptom is not there to make them aware of a potential issue. Most of the time these ‘silent symptoms’ are only noticed when teeth become loose and they start affecting your smile.
What are the benefits of quitting?
When looking at the benefits of quitting smoking it helps paint a much brighter picture and can give motivation to take the first step. A healthier mouth is only one of the many benefits that come with putting down the cigarette. Whilst you are noticing healthier gums and teeth, an overall improvement of the quality of life will be taking place all around you. There are benefits you may notice in the short term, for example, saving money and there are long term investments you make in yourself. These investments are priceless, ranging from more energy, easier breathing and lower risk of cancer and heart disease.
Tips for quitting and how to maintain good oral health
Whilst many will be on this Stoptober journey together we must remain aware we are all individuals and each person's journey will look slightly different. This means that different tips and techniques will work for some and not for others - the important part is finding what works best for you and persevering with that.
Having a tool you can physically see and interact with may make it easter to keep you accountable and stay on track with your goal of quitting. The Brixworth Dental Stoptober Calendar has been created to help understand where you are on your journey and allows you to physically see your hard earned progression.
Visiting the dentist and hygienist regularly should be seen less as a chore and more of an act of self-care. Ensuring you attending these appointments can help you get the resources and advice you need to begin journey of quitting, stay on track and stabalise any damage that has been done. In these appointments as well as getting your check-ups and treatments, you also get the chance to receive professional advice on how to create and maintain a good oral health routine at home as this is where most of the work will be done.
Resources
Below there are a range of resources to help assist you on your journey to a smoke-free
future.
Brixworth Dental Stoptober Calendar
NHS | Stop Smoking Services & Personal Quit Plan
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/nhs-stop-smoking-services-help-you-quit/
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/personal-quit-plan/
Cancer Research | How Do I Stop Smoking?
Boots | Stop Smoking Service
