perio says smokes gotta go - Smoking Cessation Message Board

CK39C · 11-30-2004, 09:37 PM

Hi everyone.

I am trying to quit for GOOD. I have had major teeth and gum problems. Back in May I was diagnosed with periodontal disease. So for the past 6 months I have been on and off again with smoking. But yesterday I had my reevaluation with the periodontist. He said my gums are "burned" and the smoking days have gotta go. He is right as much as I enjoy doing something that I know is killing me its time to give it up. So I have decided the best way is cold turkey. My quit day is Dec. 1. I thought I would check in everyweek here and talk with others who have been thru or trying to go thru the non smoking experience. I have quit cold turkey before and I honestly think it is the best way to do it. Just wanted to say my heroes are anybody who has or attempts to quit. It is hard work but well worth it. So my congrats to everyone for working hard to do that. Now I will give it my very best. I am 40 years old and intend to keep all of my teeth. Thank you for reading. Looking forward to talking with new and good friends here

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All the best

CK

bluejulie5 · 12-01-2004, 08:30 AM

HI
Good Luck to you. I hope it goes well for you.
Me, day 2 on the patch.
I am sure I will be pretty grumpy for a while though.
Let us know how it goes.

Tobias · 12-06-2004, 07:51 PM

You are so wise to quit now. With good treatment, oral hygiene (and quitting smoking) you can take major steps to improve your chances of keeping your teeth. At age 35 my regular dentist was cleaning my teeth and he just stopped in the middle of the cleaning and told me that I had to see a periodontist. I subsequently had about 9 months of intensive treatment including gum surgery on all my molars. This was 25 years ago and I kept smoking until 3 years ago (really dumb, aren't I?). I have been on 3/yr cleanings ever since and have managed to lose 3 molars and spend a truckload of money on fixed bridges. It's been a struggle and I think I'm lucky to lose only 3 teeth!

One thing I remember is that the periodontist never once told me to quit smoking and never even asked me if I smoked, not that it would have done any good because I was a confirmed smoker and not about to give it up. Maybe they hadn't made the connection between smoking and gum disease in the late 70s.

Good luck with your quit. Wish I'd done it sooner.
T.W.