Bandar Seri Begawan - In Conjunction with the World Oral Health Day today, the Jerudong Park Medical Centre (JPMC) would like to send out these messages to the public: "For Healthy Gums and a Beautiful Smile - Stay Away from Tobacco" and "Quit Smoking!"

Smoking can lead to tooth loss and stains, gum diseases and, in more severe cases, mouth cancer. One of the effects - staining on the teeth - is due to the nicotine and tar content, as well as an increase in the stress physical level.

It is able to make a person's teeth yellow in a short period of time, and heavy smokers often complain that their teeth are almost brown after years of smoking. The purpose of this day is to increase awareness on oral health, as well as the impact of oral diseases on the general health and well-being.

The World Dental Federation (FDI), a voice of the dental profession, last year announced that the first World Oral Health Day would be celebrated every Sept 12. This special day focuses on the importance of the prevention of oral diseases through educational, community and promotional activities. Although smoking damages the lungs and is not readily seen, the damage from smoking to a person's smile is much more evident. Not only does it diminish the brightness of one's smile, tobacco in any form can cause significant diseases in the mouth.

In an interview conducted earlier with the JPMC Dental Department, it was highlighted - "Approximately 90 per cent of those diagnosed with oral cancer, including cancers of the mouth, tongue, lips and throat, are tobacco users."

Dr Ravi Pai, an Endodontist at JPMC, said, "All forms of tobacco, including cigarettes, pipes, cigars and chewing (smokeless) tobacco are linked to oral cancer and the risk of oral cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day."

Dr Dharma S Rai, a Prosthodontist, added, "Smokers are six times more likely than non-smokers to develop these cancers. Oral cancer screening is performed as part of dental checkups, and is one of the best ways to catch oral cancer early. The earlier oral cancer is detected, the better a person's chances for survival."

Asked on whether a nicotine patch or any other material can help a person quit smoking, Dr Pai answered, "The addiction could be Physical or biological or mental addiction, in the case of mental addiction, it depends on your determination to quit smoking. Even if you stop smoking, withdrawal symptoms of depression and all other kinds will make you start smoking again, so a Nicotine patch can decrease the addiction by constantly giving a low dose of nicotine into the bloodstream for a certain period of time, but it is harmless."

Dr James, an Orthodontist at JPMC, explained, "You never know what is hidden - it may not be your teeth but your tongue, lips and cheeks instead: These are the areas that can be affected."

Dr Pai elaborated further, "You have to see warning signs of oral cancers, such as any sore in the mouth or on the face and neck that does not heal in two weeks. Swelling lumps or bumps on the lips and gums, as well as other areas, and repeated bleeding in the mouth are all also warning signs. Another warning sign would be the numb feeling or pain in any area of the mouth, as well as the loss.of taste."

Smoking and other tobacco products can lead to gum diseases by affecting the attachments of bone and soft tissue to one's teeth. More specifically, it appears that smoking interferes with the normal function of gum tissue cells and this interference makes smokers more susceptible to infections, such as periodontal disease, and also seems to impair blood flow to the gums, which may affect wounds healing.

It is important to make regular dental checkups for both normal checkups and a full mouth examination so that any other conditions can be spotted early. JPMC is also currently offering a special promotion in conjunction with World Oral Health Day. The promotion is for a limited time period only - from today to Sept 19 this year. Also on offers are dental scaling and polishing at $50 (usual price - $75) and a Professional Teeth Whitening (Britesmile) at t. $900 (usual $1,000).-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

< Prev		Next >