Local Calgary dental clinic highlights the health concerns related to prolonged tobacco use to join Canadian oral hygienists in urging citizens to say no.
To combat the adverse effects of tobacco use amongst Canadians, Canada’s oral hygienists intend to mark January 17 – 23 as the National Non-Smoking Week as an educational and awareness initiative to decrease the prevalence of smoking in the community. While statistics indicate that the number of Canadians who smoke decreased between 2015 and 2018, current statistics report that 3.3 million Canadians aged 25 and older are still choosing to smoke, despite health concerns. Therefore, to further the awareness initiatives, the purpose of this article is to highlight once again the adverse health concerns that are related to smoking tobacco.
What is Tobacco?
For those of you who may be unaware, “tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine, a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug that speeds up activity in our central nervous system but has relaxing effects too.” It is available in various forms, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and powder form. Accordingly, over 4,000 chemicals are detected in tobacco smoke, including lead, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, and arsenic, with at least 70 chemicals known to cause various forms of cancer.
The Risks Of Tobacco Use
For those of you who may be unaware, “tobacco is a plant that contains nicotine, a psychoactive (mind-altering) drug that speeds up activity in our central nervous system but has relaxing effects too.” It is available in various forms, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, and powder form. Accordingly, over 4,000 chemicals are detected in tobacco smoke, including lead, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, and arsenic, with at least 70 chemicals known to cause various forms of cancer.
Smoking has long been linked to numerous health concerns, including various types of cancers and heart disease, as we just mentioned. However, what many Canadians fail to realize is that tobacco also increases your chances of:
- Respiratory and lung disease
- Problems with fertility in women
- Problems with blood vessels
- Premature death
According to the Government of Canada, approximately 100 Canadians die of health issues related to smoking each day. Additionally, research indicates that smokeless tobacco forms, including chew and its powder form, are among the lead cases of mouth and throat cancer. These tobacco forms can also lead to:
- Tooth loss
- Receding gums
- Discoloured teeth and gums
Why Calgary Dental Clinics Are Concerned
Calgary dentists are particularly concerned for their patients as they fail to realize the likeliness of them being at risk for mouth sores, altered smells and tastes, and decreased blood flow to their gums even without having a cancer diagnosis. This is ultimately going to cause patients to have bad breath, discomfort and dry mouth, which in turn will reduce their overall quality of life, which is why local Calgary dental clinics are urging their community to be more aware and take these health concerns more seriously.
What Can You Do Today?
After reading this article, if you find yourself interested in finding out more about the health risks of tobacco; we urge you to consult with a licensed medical professional who will be able to assist you with your inquiries. We suggest making an appointment with our Calgary dental clinic, Savanna Dental, so our experienced oral hygienists may help you with any mouth-related concerns you may have.
If you are looking for a Calgary dentist, please visit savannadentalclinic.ca for more details and book an appointment.
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