Oral hygiene therapy assists in behavioural intervention for smoking cessation: A pilot approach for oral health care providers

Introduction: Behavioural dependency, such as oral and hand fixation, can hinder cessation efforts when nicotine replacement therapy is used as a stand-alone intervention. We here present a case report of one of several patients who has successfully achieved smoking cessation utilizing oral hygiene therapy (OHT). Case description: The patient is a 52-year-old male with a 25-year smoking habit of two packs daily. Previous attempts at smoking cessation were unsuccessful with various nicotine replacement therapies (NRTs). After introducing interdental cleaning device and modifying tooth-brushing techniques during oral hygiene therapy, the patient reported frequent use of toothpaste and using the device to satisfy his oral-hand fixation to successfully quit smoking. Conclusion: Oral hygiene therapy may enhance smoking cessation in select patients who are more behavioural dependent than nicotine dependent. Future studies are needed to develop evidence-based individualized intervention to include OHT as part of the interdisciplinary approach for smoking cessation.