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Smoking is an ill fated habit that has faced much scrutiny over the years. We as a nation have been forced to consider the implications of being a smoker. From heart disease to lung cancer the hard hitting slogans splashed all over cigarette packets are gradually bringing the message to light. However yet again there is a silent risk that is being massively overlooked.

A killer condition - that is steadily on the rise in women and young girls - is failing to receive some much needed attention. Just being a smoker makes you four times more susceptible to oral cancer than a non smoker. It has become the sixth most common form of cancer with a mortality rate mirroring this fact. With dentistry proving vital in the early diagnosis of the condition it becomes painfully obvious how significant the problem is becoming.

I am well aware that smoking takes it toll on oral hygiene. Common side effects of the filthy habit include: increased risk of halitosis, discolouration of the teeth and gum disease. Given as the most common form of tooth loss in adults, smoking also slows down the healing process of the mouth due to the effects that smoking has on restricting blood flow.

Not only affecting the inside of the cheek as is most commonly reported. It can affect two thirds of the tongue as well as the teeth and gums.

Although there are signs individual to this condition such as bleeding inside the mouth, painful lesions and continuous redness or swelling there are also signs that are harder to pinpoint making it worrying easy to misdiagnose.

Lesser obvious symptoms include:

* Soreness of the throat.

* Ear pain.

* Hoarseness

And difficulty swallowing.

If you are a smoker - A regular dental regime will help to keep track of oral hygiene but this isn't enough to reduce the risk. The only thing that will halt the increase of this awful disease- is to give up the habit completely. If you are a smoker - a regular dental regime will help to keep track of oral hygiene but this isn't enough to reduce the risk. The only thing that will halt the increase of this awful disease- is to give up the habit completely. However if you are still undecided Take a second to think about the cold hard facts.

As well as the benefits to your oral and dental health, quitting has many very real health benefits.

* Just 20 minutes after your last cigarette your blood pressure and pulse will return to normal.

* 72 hours later bronchial tubes will begin to relax, making breathing easier.

* The most poignant fact for me though is this. After ten years of being a non smoker the risk of contracting lung cancer is reduced to half that of a smoker.

Many are frustrated by the constant badgering of the NHS and the government where health warnings are concerned. However I fear that unless they take head of these warnings the smoking population could one day literally be "sick to their back teeth".

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