Stoptober: 28 smoke-free days for better oral health
October in the Netherlands is also Stoptober, a nationwide campaign encouraging people to quit smoking together for 28 days. The name combines “stop” and “October”, and the campaign has become an annual event in the Netherlands. Rather than immediately focusing on quitting forever, participants start by committing to 28 smoke-free days. Stoptober provides information, practical support and a free app, while thousands of people across the country take part at the same time.
Quitting smoking is also important for your oral health. Smoking affects the gums and the tissues surrounding the teeth and is a major risk factor for periodontal disease. It can also suppress symptoms such as bleeding gums, which means problems may sometimes be less noticeable. Quitting therefore benefits not only your general health, but also the health of your teeth and gums.
This is also why we pay attention to smoking and vaping at Dovident Dental Practice. During dental check-ups and professional cleanings, we look not only at your teeth but also at your gums and the other tissues in your mouth. Smoking can be an important factor in gum problems, periodontal disease and healing after certain dental treatments.
Vaping also deserves attention. Although e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, this does not mean that vaping is without potential consequences for your oral health. E-cigarette vapour can contain substances that affect the mouth, while nicotine remains highly addictive. We therefore also discuss vaping when it is relevant to a patient's oral health.
Quitting is not always easy, and your dental practice can be a useful place to start the conversation. At Dovident, our dentists, dental hygienist and prevention team can explain how smoking or vaping may be affecting your oral health and what improvements you may see after quitting. For dedicated support with quitting, you can also speak to your GP, practice nurse or a qualified smoking cessation coach.
If you are taking part in Stoptober this year, or are simply considering quitting, feel free to mention it during your appointment at Dovident. We can assess the health of your gums and mouth and explain the role that smoking or vaping may be playing. The official Stoptober website (in Dutch) also provides further information and support for anyone who would like to take part in the 28-day challenge.