November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and nothing encourages a lifetime of health and beautiful smiles than knowing the risks of tobacco use. While it’s important to recognize that not all patients battling lung cancer are tobacco users, it’s just as crucial to know that smoking is the leading risk factor for developing this life-threatening disease. Additionally, smoking is not only harmful to your lungs, it can cause severe damage to your mouth.
Smoking often leads to several unwanted dental consequences including raising the risk of periodontal (gum) disease, discoloration of teeth and oral cancer. In fact, oral cancer is six times more common in people who smoke. These scary realities of tobacco use make scheduling and keeping regular appointments at my Lewisburg dental office even more important.
Here at the dental practice of Dr. Larry Winans, we offer exceptional care and believe in so much more than beautiful smiles. We focus not only on your dental care, but your overall health as well. Our team keeps your smile, and your body, healthy with dental cleanings and treatment for periodontal disease, oral cancer screenings and smile whitening treatments.
Everything we do here at our Lewisburg dental practice is driven by our mission to offer exceptional care and thorough, comprehensive exams. This includes our oral cancer screenings. More than 34,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral cancer this year and nearly half will lose the battle against it within five years. Smoking, along with other forms of tobacco use and poor nutrition can all increase the risk for this life-threatening disease. However, there is good news. Most oral cancers can be treated and cured if caught early which is why we place extreme importance on seeing us every six months. At every regular exam, we will screen your mouth for any symptoms of oral cancer.
Along with oral cancer screenings, we also conduct periodontal disease screenings. Smoking, along with other factors, can also increase the risk of this disease. At every exam, our hygienist will measure the gum tissue around each tooth to determine any gum deterioration. We may also take digital x-rays to see if there is any bone loss around teeth. If we find periodontal disease, we offer a variety of new technologies that make treatment more thorough and comfortable than ever before.
Smoking, drinking wines, coffees or teas, among other things, can cause teeth to become dull and discolored. We can help with that too. We offer a variety of both in-office and take home whitening treatments that will take your smile from dull to dazzling.
During Lung Cancer Awareness Month, and every month, it’s important to become educated on the dangers of tobacco use and also reflect on the dental damage smoking can cause. Let us help you get you and your smile to its optimum health. Call my Lewisburg dental office today at 570-524-4454.