Premier Dental Care |337 Hancock StGallatinTN37066 | (615) 452-1292
Premier Dental Care
337 Hancock St
GallatinTN 37066
 (615) 452-1292
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3 Tips to Stop Using Tobacco for a Healthier Smile

3 Tips to Stop Using Tobacco for a Healthier Smile

Smoking isn’t just harmful to your lungs. It’s also bad for your smile. Using tobacco products can stain your teeth, increase your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, cause bad breath, interfere with your sense of taste and affect your immune system. Giving up smoking can protect your health and improve your smile. Keep the following tips in mind if you decide to quit using tobacco products.

Try Nicotine Replacement Therapy

Quitting cold turkey is possible, but it’s very difficult to do. Instead of giving up smoking abruptly, consider giving nicotine replacement therapy a try. This therapy helps your body gradually adjust to not having nicotine and helps you overcome cravings in a healthier way so that you don’t go back to using tobacco products. As part of this therapy, you can use over-the-counter products, such as gum, patches or lozenges, or ask your doctor about prescription medications that can help. These prescription medications are usually in the form of inhalers or nasal sprays. There are also programs you can join to help you successfully give up smoking. You might need to try different combinations in order to find one that works best for you depending on your lifestyle. 

Quitting cold turkey is possible, but it’s very difficult to do. Instead of giving up smoking abruptly, consider giving nicotine replacement therapy a try. This therapy helps your body gradually adjust to not having nicotine and helps you overcome cravings in a healthier way so that you don’t go back to using tobacco products.

Avoid Triggers

Certain triggers can cause you to crave nicotine, which can lead you to smoke again. Learning how to avoid these triggers helps reduce this risk, making it easier to quit this habit. In order to do this, you’ll need to figure out what your triggers are. You might crave nicotine anytime you’re feeling stressed, or you might want it more when you have a cup of coffee. Your trigger might be parties or other social gatherings where you’re used to smoking, or you might have cravings when you go to bars. When you know what your triggers are, you can either avoid them entirely or have a plan for handling them in a healthy manner rather than giving in to cravings. 

Remind Yourself of Nicotine-Free Benefits

If you’re struggling to go without nicotine, remind yourself of everything you’re gaining by giving up this habit. You’ll have a healthier lifestyle overall, which can boost your physical, emotional and mental well-being. You’ll also save money by not having to buy cigarettes all the time, and you might feel better if you’ve been experiencing any negative health consequences of smoking. Remember that smoking can increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease, damage your arteries, increase your risk of clotting and put you at a higher risk of having a stroke. It also affects your sleep quality. 

Giving up tobacco is just one way to keep your teeth healthy this year. Routine dental checkups are also important for oral health. Please contact us at Premier Dental Care to schedule your checkup, and sign up for our blog for the latest news and updates.