People are more aware of the harmful effects of smoking on general health – lung disease, heart disease, lung cancer – than on oral health.

Nonetheless, smoking and other forms of tobacco use are the primary cause of oral and pharyngeal cancer. Smokers are up to 20 times more exposed to the risk of this type of cancer than non-smokers, and this risk increases among smokers who drink regularly.

In addition, an estimated 50% of cases of gum disease can be attributed to tobacco use. It also reduces the chances of success of periodontal treatment and interferes with oral wound healing.

Tobacco use is also by far the main factor in the failure of implant therapy treatment. And that’s not to mention its impact on one’s appearance (yellow teeth, black stains on teeth) and the senses of taste and smell, and smoker’s breath.

Health professionals have an important role to play in discouraging smoking. Dentists are stepping up their efforts to talk with patients who smoke, by giving them information about the impact of smoking on their oral health. They also advise these patients on ways of quitting smoking and the free resources at their disposal.

Information guide: Ready to Free Yourself from Tobacco?

Quit-smoking centres

• A network of over 160 centres throughout Quebec
• Individual or group meetings with a health professional
• Information on resources available to help you butt out
• Free, bilingual service
• For details on centres near your home or work:
  - call 1 866 527-7383
  - see the www.iquitnow.qc.ca website