Quit cigarettes and you'll
avoid the 43 carcinogenic substances in smoke.
Become a Healthy Statistic
If you want to become a
healthy statistic, join the millions of Americans who have quit
smoking for good. Even long-time smokers addicted to nicotine,
the drug in tobacco, have found great satisfaction when they quit.
They save money, they don't have the increased stress that tobacco
puts on their heart and blood pressure, they reduce their risk of
cancer, and their senses of taste and smell are enhanced.
You're probably familiar with the link
between tobacco use, lung cancer and heart disease. But you may not
know that tobacco can cause significant disease in your mouth.
Smokers have a much greater risk of developing oral cancer than
nonsmokers.
Unless diagnosed early, oral cancer
may require extensive surgery. Annually, some 30,000 new cases of oral
cancer are diagnosed.
Compared to nonsmokers, smokers are
more likely to have larger deposits of calculus (tartar) on their
teeth. And, they are more likely to have periodontal (gum)
disease, a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. Smoking causes bad
breath, and it stains teeth, tooth restorations and the tongue. And,
it can delay healing after a tooth extraction or oral surgery.
Early Detection
In the early stages or oral cancer, changes take place in the mucous
membrane that lines the oral cavity. Because these changes are
not usually painful, they are often ignored by the individual. The
sooner oral cancer is discovered, the better the chances are for
successful treatment.
Dentists are trained to recognize
the effects of tobacco, such as cancer in the mouth. If you
notice any of the following changes in your mouth, see your dentist
immediately:
- A red sore on your lips, gums or inside
your mouth that does not heal within two weeks and may bleed
easily.
- White, scaly patches (leukoplakia) inside
your mouth or on your lips.
- Swelling or lumps in your mouth, neck, lips
or on your tongue.
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- Numbness or pain in your mouth or throat
without any obvious cause.
- Repeated bleeding in your mouth without any
obvious cause.
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing food.
- Difficulty moving your tongue or jaw.
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A Dozen Ways to Stop
There are many effective methods
that can help you kick the smoking habit: |
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Develop a list of your own
personal reasons for quitting.
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Set a date to quit in the
near future and stick to it.
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Join a smoking cessation
program for support.
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Enlist the support of your
dentist, physician, family, friends and co-workers.
-
Exercise. It may make
you feel better about yourself and your decision to quite
smoking.
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Keep your mouth occupied!
Sugarless gum may fend off an urge to smoke.
-
Choose a "low stress" time
to quit, perhaps during a vacation.
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Don't carry matches or
tobacco.
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Quit the smoking habit all
at once--cold turkey.
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Try all available resources
including audio and video tapes, books, pamphlets, tip sheets
and other self-help materials to successfully quit smoking.
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Ask your dentist or
physician about prescribing a pharmaceutical aid, approved by
the Food and Drug Administration for use in smoking cessation
programs.
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Don't let small setbacks
discourage you. Keep trying!
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Call the National Cancer Institute's toll-free
Cancer Information Service
at 1-800-422-6237 for information on how to quit smoking. |
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