Chewing Tobacco….Not the Safe Alternative to Cigarettes

Chewing tobacco, spit tobacco, and snuff are all tobacco that is held in the mouth between the cheek and gum. All contain the addictive substance nicotine, and are known to cause health problems, gum disease and ultimately cancer. 

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 20% of high school boys and 2% of high school girls chew tobacco. The Center also reports that each year approximately 30,000 Americans are diagnosed with mouth and throat cancer and almost 8,000 will die from these diseases. 

Chewing tobacco causes stained teeth, bad breath and a
reduction in sense of taste and smell.

The Mayo Clinic reports the following health risks: 

Cavities and Gum Disease

 Chewing tobacco can irritate gums and scratch away tooth enamel leaving your teeth at a higher risk for cavities.  

 Chewing tobacco can also cause gums to pull away from the teeth leaving a spot open for gum disease and possible tooth loss. 

Leukoplakia

Chewing tobacco causes weak spots in the gum where the tobacco is placed leaving an opening for the development of leukoplakia, a small white patch that is considered precancerous. 

Chewing tobacco also increases ones risk of oral cancer including cancer of the mouth, esophagus, cheeks, gums, lips and tongue. The removal of these cancers can leave a person severely disfigured. The cancer causing agents in chewing tobacco can also get into the lining of the stomach and the bladder. 

Chewing tobacco contains nicotine, a substance which enters the blood stream and constricts blood vessels causing the heart to pump and a faster rate, increasing blood pressure and increasing cholesterol levels. 

According to the California Dental Association , pain is rarely an early symptom of oral cancer.

DANGER SIGNS:

See your dentist as soon as possible if you have any of the following:

• A sore that does not heal

• A lump or white patch

• A prolonged sore throat

• Difficulty in chewing

• Restricted movement of the tongue or jaws

• A feeling of something in the throat