As the New Year begins, many people start thinking of resolutions they can make to improve their lives. There are many great resolutions one can make and any choices aimed at improving your health are perfect for anyone. Dr. Raymond A. Kenzik, a periodontist in Ormond Beach, FL, and the rest of our team would like to encourage our patients to consider making New Year’s resolutions to improve their oral health.

Here are some reasons that small changes, such as quitting smoking, could make a big difference to your teeth, mouth, and gums.

Improve the Appearance of Your Smile
The cosmetic impacts of cigarette smoking on teeth are well-known. Before long, cigarette smoke causes normally bright white tooth enamel to turn dingy, dull, and yellow. Tobacco staining can be a persistent problem for smokers that even at-home whitening treatments cannot completely erase. While treatments such as clinical teeth whitening can help improve the appearance of teeth damaged by cigarette and cigar smoke, only quitting smoking has the potential to protect teeth from future yellowing.

Protecting Essential Gum Tissue
Gum tissue is also affected by prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke. Dentists have long known that smokers tend to have poorer gum health compared to non-smokers. However, quitting smoking can actually lead to improved gum health. When periodontal gum treatment is pursued in addition to smoking cessation, the gums of former smokers can see significant improvement.

Improving Gum Health
Gums play an important role in your mouth. These are just some of the things they do for you:

• Gums protect sensitive dental structures, such as roots, from damage.
• In ideal circumstances, gums prevent potentially infectious bacteria from entering the blood stream at the base of the tooth. When gums become inflamed due to plaque deposits on tooth enamel, this protection is compromised.
• Gums support the ligaments that hold teeth in place. If these ligaments are damaged due to advanced gum disease, tooth loss can result.

Contact Us Today
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Kenzik for gum care or other dental services, please call 386-672-9440.