National Non-smoking Week
Canada’s dental hygienists, who see their clients two to four times a year, often come across the effects of smoking when they look after their clients’ oral health needs. They play important roles in detecting oral cancer and other health risks as well as encouraging beneficial behaviour changes, such as smoking cessation. supplied
This January 17 to 23, dental hygienists call out the risks associated with tobacco use and offer support for Canadians ready to give up their habit.
They often come face to face with the effects of smoking. Now, Canada’s dental hygienists are joining with other health-care professionals to amplify the call – and offer assistance – for smoking cessation.
“The mouth is the gateway to the body, and dental hygienists are oral health-care experts who see their clients two to four times a year,” says Donna Wells, manager of professional practice, Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA).
Due to the close trusted relationships they establish with clients, dental hygienists are in a unique position to recommend measures for improving health outcomes, including smoking cessation. “They can provide guidance for coming up with a plan and offer encouragement at subsequent appointments. They also celebrate with those who reach the goal of becoming a non-smoker,” explains Ms. Wells. “However, the first step is for people to recognize that they are ready to quit smoking, and discussions about risk factors can help to provide an incentive.”
“It can take a few tries to kick the habit, but it’s worth it. I’ve had clients who tried four or five times before they were able to quit for good. A health-care professional like your dental hygienist can provide the incentive and guidance to help you get started.”
The health risks associated with smoking
Many Canadians know there is strong scientific evidence that links smoking tobacco to two dozen diseases, including lung cancer, other cancers, respiratory disease and cardiovascular disease. Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death.
The impact of smoking on oral health is also serious, says Ms. Wells. “Smoking affects the entire mouth – the soft tissues, the teeth, the gums – and leads to gum and periodontal disease. Over time, it can lead to bone loss in the jaw, and this can ultimately lead to tooth loss.”
Smoking and vaping cause a drier mouth, increasing the risk of the formation and retention of bacteria, which, in turn, can elevate the incidence of inflammation and cavities. “Something that people may not be fully aware of is that smoking can cause bad breath and stained teeth,” notes Ms. Wells. “And social impacts can follow when people limit their social interaction due to feeling self-conscious.”
Smokers should also know that they are at a significantly higher risk for oral cancer. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, an estimated 5,400 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer – and 1,500 died from the disease – in 2020.
The role of dental hygienists in detecting oral cancer
With education in head and neck anatomy and oral pathology, dental hygienists are in a perfect position to detect oral cancer and other health changes. “An appointment with your dental hygienist includes an assessment of the head and neck region for irregular lumps or bumps,” says Ms. Wells. “Then they look inside the mouth for lesions.”
Areas of assessment include the tongue, where oral cancer most often presents itself, as well as the floor and roof of the mouth, the inside of the cheeks and the throat. If any abnormality is found, the dental hygienist will refer the client for further tests.
“Early detection of oral cancer is among the many reasons why regular visits to the dental hygienist are so important,” says Ms. Wells, who adds that irregularities in oral health can also point to other underlying issues that may require referrals to health-care partners.
Healthy mouth – healthy body
Oral health and general well-being are closely linked. “We’re learning more and more about the connection between oral health and overall health,” asserts Ms. Wells. “What happens in your mouth doesn’t just stay there; for example, bacteria can be transferred to the rest of your body. Poor oral health has been associated with heart disease and diabetes as well as premature births. For the elderly, tooth pain and tooth loss can limit their food intake.”
Since oral health plays such a significant role in health outcomes, the CDHA continues to advocate for dental care to be included in Canada’s universal health-care program.
“About 36 per cent of Canadians don’t have dental insurance, and there are many who don’t receive adequate oral health care due to financial constraints,” says Ms. Wells. “When people don’t have access to oral health services because they don’t have dental coverage, this affects their overall health and our health-care system.”
For smoking cessation support, talk to your dental hygienist
“Not only are dental hygienists educated in the assessment of oral and dental findings, they are also well versed in behavioural modification and health promotion and education,” states Ms. Wells. For smoking cessation, they can provide information as well as direct clients to professional programs and other resources (Health Canada, for example, provides links to provincial resources, support and tips to quit smoking).
For people who smoke or vape, including those who’ve unsuccessfully tried to quit before, Ms. Wells has a message of hope. “It can take a few tries to kick the habit, but it’s worth it,” she says. “I’ve had clients who tried four or five times before they were able to quit for good.”
Sometimes, all that’s needed is a helping hand, she adds. “A health-care professional like your dental hygienist can provide the incentive and guidance to help you get started.”