One of the first things a child learns about health is the care of their teeth.
From the time s/he is big enough to hold a toothbrush, s/he is taught at home, in school, in their early visits to the dentist, and even through television, that s/he can prevent cavities and have a bright, happy smile if s/he cleans heir teeth thoroughly on a daily basis and sees their dentist regularly.
Today, dentists are adding a new health rule to this familiar list - one that is directed primarily at adults - and that is, DON'T SMOKE.
The reason for this suggestion is that scientific evidence has shown that smoking can ruin that bright smile and may lead to irreparable damage to teeth, gums and mouth.
Dental problems are, of course, only a part of the overall hazard of smoking.
Most people are aware that smoking, particularly cigarette smoking, is associated with higher death rates at earlier ages and higher death rates at earlier ages and higher death rates from lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Smokers also suffer more frequently from both acute and chronic illness, and are absent from their jobs more often than their co-workers who do not smoke.
As far as their mouths go, smokers already know that tobacco leaves an ugly stain on their teeth, a yellowing that is often difficult to clean even by the dentist.
Smoking also leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth and an odor on the breath.
But what smokers do not realize is that, in addition, their use of tobacco may result in periodontal disease, including gingivitis, early loss of teeth and even cancer of the mouth and throat.
Smoking can also have side effects, such as slowing down the healing process after teeth have been extracted.