Can I protect my mouth if I smoke?

No. However, there are two things that a smoker should do to help protect his or her oral health.

1. Arrange to have a regular half yearly check-up with a dentist.
2. Give up smoking. If smoking is stopped in time it is often possible to maintain a healthy mouth and keep the teeth for a lifetime. In 3-5 years after stopping smoking the chance of getting oral cancer is halved and gets less and less with time.