Tobacco Cessation

Stopping the use of tobacco products can be challenging because of tobacco’s addictive qualities. If you are planning to quit, you should talk with your oral health professionals, including your dental hygienist.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, killing more than 480,000 Americans each year. Smoking causes immediate damage to your body, which can lead to long-term health problems. For every smoking-related death, at least 30 Americans live with a smoking-related illness.

Among the illnesses affected by tobacco use:

• Asthma
• Buerger's Disease
• Cancer
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Diabetes
• Heart Disease and Stroke
• HIV
• Pregnancy

Your dentist and dental hygienist can discuss strategies with you that can help you quit, such as developing coping strategies, identifying your triggers for tobacco use and creating a support group of family and friends.