November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month and we’d like to educate you on not only the consequences smoking has on your lungs, but also on your mouth.  While it’s important to know that not all those fighting lung cancer are smokers or former smokers, it’s just as important to recognize smoking as the leading risk factor in developing this life-threatening disease.

Smoking can lead to many negative health and dental issues including raising the risk of oral cancer, periodontal disease and discoloration of the teeth.  The scary realities of the effects that tobacco use has on oral health makes scheduling and keeping regular appointments at my Garden City, New York dental office even more important.

Here at Tobin Dental Care, we encourage patients to come see us every six months for a thorough and gentle cleaning from our dental hygienists.  Not only do these appointments help defend your teeth and gums against any dental problems, they also are used to screen for periodontal disease – a disease that could be brought on by smoking, stress, grinding your teeth or poor nutrition.

We use modern dental technology to screen and treat periodontal problems.  Our treatment is gentle and painless and helps restore gums to health.  We use the Cavitron and Piezo Scalers which use high frequency ultrasonic waves to remove tartar above and below the gum line and help promote healing of the gums and reattachment to the tooth root.  Once the gums are clean, we may apply a powerful antibiotic called Arestin which is used specifically in the treatment of periodontal bacteria.  Smoker or not, we will help you keep your gums healthy.