Smoking is an epidemic that has been sweeping the world for decades and has since spawned several campaigns to mitigate its effects, including the World No Tobacco Day held annually every May 31.
While majority of the campaigns focus on the respiratory effects of smoking, the addictive habit also adversely affects your dental health. In the UAE, Dr. Catherine Bañas of Klinika Maharlika’s Dental division in Abu Dhabi shares several diseases associated with smoking below.
Periodontal Disease. Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease affecting the soft and hard structures that support the teeth namely the gums, bone and teeth. “Nicotine, found in tobacco, causes constriction of blood vessels. Due to this constriction, smoker’s inflamed gums will not have the capacity to heal and gum disease progression is expected to be more compared to that of a non-smoker. If left untreated, it can result in tooth loss,” shares Dr. Bañas.
Nicotine Staining. “Nicotine is colorless but once it combines with oxygen, it becomes yellow. ” reveals Dr. Bañas as she shared that this is a common effect that Nicotine has on a smoker’s teeth that eventually causes stained colors ranging from yellow to brown. The Klinika Maharlika dentist also shared that smoking causes an immediate effect of bad breath and as the habit forms, loss of taste may also be experienced.
Oral Cancer. Apart from gum diseases and nicotine staining, one of the worst case scenarios for habitual smokers is that it increases the risk of developing oral cancer up to five to ten times more. “Oral Cancer is a malignant growth in the mouth resulting from uncontrolled division of cells. It usually starts out as a non-healing ulcer on the gums, palate, tongue and lips. If undetected and untreated, it may result in death,” said Dr. Bañas.
Kick the habit
The dentist from Klinika Maharlika shared that not all hope is lost as there are several cases of patients that have successfully quit smoking on their own. “Smoking is a social habit that has an addictive potential, causing physical and mental dependence. It is important to find a reason to quit,” shares Dr. Bañas.
However, she also warns that it’s not an easy task to do – but with the help of medical professionals, it should help make the road towards quitting easier: “People showing addiction to smoking may show withdrawal symptoms once they attempt to quit. It is best to consult a medical doctor to aid someone with the ordeal.”
Filipinos seeking help to quit smoking can visit Dr. Bañas at Klinika Maharlika located at 3rd Floor Al Saif Tower Zayed the First Electra Street. Her consultation ours are from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm during Ramadan, and from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm for her regular hours.
Serving the Filipino public
Klinika Maharlika is a multispecialty outpatient medical center with specialties for General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology and Dental Department licensed by the Department of Health Abu Dhabi, boasting 12 Treatment rooms, Phlebotomy, Sample Collection Rooms and Radiology.
Specialties that Klinika Maharlika will be offering very soon include Pediatrics and Internal Medicine.
“Our mission is to create an affordable and technologically advanced center for health, at par with the unparalleled and first-class health service and treatment specifically catered and tailored for the needs and VALUES of the Filipino people,” said the company in an announcement.
Clinic timings during the Holy month of Ramadan are from 8:00 am to 12:00 am daily. Regular timings after Ramadan begin from 7:00 am.
About the author:
Dr. Catherine Bañas was born in Manila and was raised in Parañaque but is a Bicolana at heart. She is the youngest of three children. She studied in Sacred Heart School – Parañaque from kindergarten to high school. In college, she studied Dental Medicine at the University of the Philippines – Manila. She is knowledgeable in Sign language and French. Her interests include visual arts and movies. She has a passion for travel and food.
