My New Christmas Smile :)

[Phobicmaniac]

For those of you that don't know my story, I stopped smoking in August 2015 and it is the best achievement I have done and so proud.

When I stopped, the underlying problem with my gums and teeth were no longer masked and they both deteriorated very badly in the last 2 years due to my teeth grinding in my sleep worsening likely due to the stress of stopping. I had a serious phobia of dentists and was so ashamed of my teeth as my top 2 front were literally butts of teeth and my bite was completely gone which affected my smile, the way I ate, drank and even spoke. But above all my confidence was shattered. I knew I needed to go to the dentist as soon as I stopped smoking but just couldn't.

Finally, in August, my husband told me I needed to do something about them (my family had been talking behind my back about them and made me extremely paranoid). Dental problems is really an unknown side effect from smoking that not many people know - I certainly didn't so decided to come on here to see if anyone else had experience in this - I got tremendous support from mushen and she gave me so much encouragement to make that appointment. It was actually harder to walk into the waiting room than stopping smoking

I am sharing this story to let you know when you stop, please go to your dentist for a check up especially if having problems prior to stopping - I have spent €1,360 so far on my restoration and will spend a further €1,500 on permanent restoration. It is worth every penny the way I feel today but could have saved a fortune if I had of gone 2 years ago.

[RoisinO1 Administrator 3 Years Smoke Free]

Ah delighted for you Phobicmaniac - I developed very bad gum disease when I stopped, dentist told me smoking caused it but masked it while I smoked, was on a prescription mouth wash there for 6 months (possibly due to me not going to the dentist when I stopped over 2 years ago until June this year).

It really is very important to go for a check up when we stop and couldn't agree more with you, huge congratulations on another huge achievement, well done

[Hidden]

Probic congrats on your new smille that’s exellent .😀 I also suffered with gum problems the first two months after quitting ..

A dentist visit is important , in the mean time rinsing with warm salty water twice a day helped me and a few times a week peroxide when brushing is good too .

So many health benefits after quitting ..it’s amazing 👍

[Atta1 3 Months Smoke Free Valued Contributor]

That's brilliant news about your new smile 😁😁 I don't mind the dentist but have to listen to music through headphones if getting any work done.

[Alynnk0821]

I am so glad to see this...I thought I was going crazy and that my breath was worse after quitting! There is seriously something wrong with my teeth that wasn't while I was smoking. I'm so glad it is considered normal. I will have to wait for my 6 month check up but it shouldn't be too far away. I might call today and see when that is and if there is anything I can do in the meantime. Thank you for posting and congrats on the huge accomplishment!

[Phobicmaniac 2 Years Smoke Free]

Thanks everyone, really can't reiterate enough of going to the dentist as soon as you stop.....

[Exsmo]

Wow. Am having serious issues with my teeth and gums blood runs out of when i brush them. This did NOT happen when i smoked! Is very depressing.

[Phobicmaniac 2 Years Smoke Free in reply to Exsmo]

Yes, smoking masked gum disease and teeth issues, need to get to your dentist for a check up as soon as you can, try not to put it off....

[juliecakes 1 Year Smoke Free 6 Months Smoke Free]

Hi I stopped smoking fifteen months ago the bleeding gums are normal I also went to the dentist I have to see a dental hygienist and use corsodyl so much blood when I brush my teeth they have got weak over the years