For many people it is a revolting habit, for others it’s a pleasant and addictive past-time. Whatever camp you fall into, there is no doubt that chewing tobacco, or smokeless tobacco, can cause cancer, as well as a host of other health problems. Derek M. Busciglio, D.M.D., runs Busciglio Orthodontics, serving the Brandon, Florida, and Plant City, Florida areas, and talks here about why it is important to quit.
Smokeless tobacco has been around for centuries, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now estimates that as many as 20% of all boys and two percent of all girls chew.
Spit tobacco, also known as smokeless tobacco, comes in two forms — chewing tobacco and snuff. The tobacco is placed between the cheek and gum or the lower lip and the gum, for a period of time to get a continuous high from the nicotine in the tobacco.
Many people think that since smokeless tobacco is not inhaled, it’s harmless. But that’s not true. Chewing tobacco can cause lots of health problems, and is as dangerous as smoking is for your health, if not more so.
Dental experts warn of the following dangers:
- Smokeless tobacco is identified as having 28 carcinogens. It can cause not only oral cancer but also cancer of the stomach, bladder and esophagus.
- Chewing tobacco and snuff can cause an erosion of critical bone support, leading to teeth loss that can be permanent.
- Over time, spit tobacco can irritate the spot in the mouth where the wad of the chew is placed and can permanently damage the gum tissue. When this happens, the injured gums then pull away from the teeth, exposing root’s surfaces and leaving teeth sensitive to heat and cold.
- Chewing tobacco decreases a person’s sense of taste and ability to smell. As a result, users tend to eat more salty and sweet foods, leading to more cavities.
- Spit tobacco can cause gum recession, mouth sores and oral cancer.
To help patients quit using tobacco products, dentists and dental hygienist suggest a variety of measures, including:
- Patient education involving learning the dangers of spit tobacco
- Quitting cold turkey
- Chewing something else such as gum
- And/or the use of nicotine patchesJust remember, there is no such thing as a safe tobacco product, and that the time to quit is now.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
