The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) surveyed 16,000 adults and it should be an eye-opener for patients who smoke. Not only are smokers more likely to have oral health problems, they are also much less likely to visit the dentist regularly (or at all).
More than one-third of the smokers reported having three or more dental issues like toothaches, infected gums, stained teeth and jaw pain. Non-smokers had less than half that amount of oral health issues. Smokers also avoided visiting the dentist with only 20% of them having gone in the last five years.
The smokers surveyed seemed to be aware that their dental health was poor but “they’re not doing anything about it” according to Robin Cohen of the CDC. Smokers were much more likely to say they could not afford to see a dentist than the non-smokers. Since a pack of cigarettes range in cost from about $5 to a high of almost $12 a lot of money is taken up by smoking so that finding is not surprising. Avoiding regular dental care inevitably ends up costing more because many dental issues can be prevented, or discovered and treated at an early stage. Because smokers have much higher rates of gum disease and oral cancers it is vitally important that they get regular dental care.
If you haven’t been to visit the dentist in a while please contact the office of Rothfus Family Dental serving the Rogue Valley, OR area at 541-858-7994. We’ll be happy to schedule your appointment and work with you toward achieving optimal oral health
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