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Oral Disease: Talking To Children About Tobacco

Over the past several decades, the number of adult smokers has substantially declined, however, the number of youths who smoke has remained unchanged. More disturbing is the fact that the use of snuff (also called chewing or spit) tobacco has tripled.

Tobacco use is the largest avoidable cause of death and disability in the United States. A tobacco-related illness or condition is the cause of 25% of all deaths in the United States. On average, each smoker who dies would have lived another 15 years if he or she were a non-smoker.

Smoking causes or contributes to the following diseases and conditions:

• Lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Oral and oropharyngeal cancer
• Cervical cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Pancreas cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Heart disease
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Stroke
• Slows wound healing
• Slows illness recovery

More than 9,000 individuals die each year from oral and oropharyngeal cancer. The risk of having oral and oropharyngeal cancer is much greater among tobacco users. Over 90% of people with oral and oropharyngeal cancer are tobacco users. The mouths of tobacco users have more red and white patches and nodules, sores, and ulcers that could be oral and oropharyngeal cancer. Tobacco users also have a higher incidence of gum disease, coated tongue, cavities, wearing of teeth, and gum recession.

Also consider that about 3,000 children begin to smoke each day. Approximately 90% of new smokers begin before age 20, and children and adolescents who smoke become addicted faster than adults do. Nicotine, a drug found in all forms of tobacco, is very addictive.

Pregnant women who smoke have a higher risk of having an unhealthy baby than those who do not smoke. New mothers who smoke put their babies at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), poor lung development, asthma, and infections.

Tobacco use occurs in the form of cigarettes, cigars, or smokeless (spit) tobacco. Kids need to be educated about the harmful effects of tobacco. Bring up the subject of tobacco use. This can be done when you see or hear things about tobacco on TV, on advertisement billboards, t-shirts, hats, or in magazines. Explain that buying tobacco is a waste of money and that the tobacco companies target advertisements toward young people in order to hook another generation of tobacco users. Tell them tobacco kills about a half million people each year. More people die from tobacco-related illnesses than from car accidents, alcohol, AIDS, suicides, homicides, fires, and illegal drugs combined. Let kids know that tobacco use will stain teeth and dental fillings, cause their clothes and hair to smell, cause tooth decay, tooth loss, gum disease, bad breath, and will dull their sense of taste. Young people may be more receptive to the fact that their boyfriend or girlfriend may think they have bad breath or stained teeth than the number of deaths caused by tobacco use. Tobacco use does not improve athletic ability, increase popularity, or make one appear grown-up.

by Denise J. Fedele, DMD, MS

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.

The Making Of An Awesome, Most Excellent Smile

A winning smile is awesome! It's a very special part of your face. Your teeth are a big part of your smile. Keeping them in good shape helps your smile.

Taking care of your teeth is your job. Make it a habit. Here are some tips to follow for keeping your teeth, gums, and all parts of your mouth healthy. These give your mouth something to really smile about!

• Brush your teeth in the morning and at night with a fluoride toothpaste. There may be times you don't feel like it, but good brushing habits can save you from lots of problems later.
• Cavities are caused by a sticky film containing germs. It's called plaque and it coats your teeth. Plaque is nasty and needs to be brushed away at least twice a day. So if you go to bed without brushing your teeth, get up and brush! Or, if you forget to brush before going to school in the morning, rinse your mouth with water. Brush your teeth as soon as you get home.
• If you don't, you're in for a plaque attack, and that causes cavities!
• Use a tongue scraper or brush your tongue, too. Swish with water after brushing to rinse your mouth. If you're 12 years old or older, you can use a mouth rinse, too. Be careful not to swallow it. Don't swallow any toothpaste either. It's good for your teeth but not good in your tummy.
• Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner (special picks, brushes, or sticks) to clean between teeth every day. Plaque gets between teeth, too. Cleaning between your teeth removes plaque and trapped food particles your toothbrush might not get. Do it as part of your bedtime routine. Fighting tooth decay is your job.
• See your dentist twice a year for check-ups and cleanings. They have special tools that can get your teeth really clean. Think of your dentist and dental hygienist as your healthy teeth team. They like helping to keep your smile in good shape!
• Clean your teeth after snacks, even if it only means "swishing" out with water. Even healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables leave food particles and natural sugar in your teeth. Don't eat too many sweets. When you do eat sweets, brush your teeth as soon as possible. Cavity-causing germs love sweets. They start attacking your teeth right away.
• Wear a mouth protector when participating in sports. They can save your teeth from getting chipped, broken, or knocked out.
• Stay away from all tobacco products including cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. Tobacco is very bad for your teeth, gums, lips, and mouth. Yuck! It can stain your teeth, give you sores that really hurt, and make you very sick. It's a bad habit for your whole body.

Follow these steps to an awesome smile.

• Brush teeth in the morning and at night.
• Floss every day.
• Rinse or brush after snacks.
• See your dentist for check-ups and cleanings twice a year.
• Wear a mouth protector for sports activities.
• Stay away from tobacco.

You're in charge of your teeth. Brush them. Floss them. Build strong, healthy teeth with healthy foods. Follow good health habits. You are sure to make and keep an awesome, most excellent smile!

Discover what pediatric dentistry can do for your child's smile.

by Brian J. Gray, DDS, MAGD, FICO

+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.