Sunday, August 17, 2008

Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Health

Smokeless tobacco products such as chew or snuff are not safe alternatives to smoking. The oral health problems that result are plentiful and include bad breath, tooth discoloration and decay, recession, disease of the gums, diminished sense of taste/smell, and white patches and red sores that can lead to oral cancer.
Smokeless tobacco contains nicotine that is very addictive. After using tobacco for a short period of time, you will need another dip every 20 to 30 minutes to keep the buzz from ending. You may become dizzy and shaky when trying to quit.
Nicotine in tobacco can cause your heart to beat faster and is also linked to hypertension.
Tobacco juices can damage your gums, expose the roots of your teeth, lead to sensitive teeth or tooth loss, or cause worn surfaces on tooth enamel. If tobacco juice is swallowed, it can produce stomach ulcers.
Pain is rarely an early symptom. For this reason all tobacco users need regular dental check-ups.

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