November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and nothing encourages lifetime health better than knowing the dangers of tobacco use. While it’s important to recognize that not all patients battling lung cancer are tobacco users, smoking is the leading risk factor for developing lung cancer. Additionally, smoking is not only harmful to your lungs, it can wreak havoc in your mouth.
Smoking often leads to several unwanted health and dental consequences including raising the risk of oral cancer, periodontal (gum) disease and discoloration of the teeth. 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 Holland, Michigan dental office even more important.
Here at Huisman Family Dentistry, we offer exceptional care for lifetime health. In fact, that’s not only our tag line, it’s our mission. Smoker or not, we believe in conducting thorough oral cancer screenings at every comprehensive exam to ensure a healthy mouth.
We also screen for periodontal disease which is one of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults. Smoking can increase the risk of periodontal disease and the bacteria that cause this dental disease have been linked to serious health issues such as heart problems, strokes, diabetic concerns and even cancer.
Smoking can also cause unwanted discoloration of your teeth. We can help with that, too. Here at Huisman Family Dentistry, we offer the in-office KOR Whitening system which is the highest ranking dental product – ever! If you prefer to whiten your teeth at home, we also offer the KOR take-home whitening system.
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. Call my Holland, Michigan dental office today at 616-396-5919 and have us treat you to a lifetime of health.
