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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.
Many
people ignore the warning signs about the serious long-term
health problems related to chewing and smoking. They can
better relate to bad breath, stained teeth and financial drain
on their wallets.
If you
quit using tobacco products, many of the gum changes and side
effects will disappear, foods will taste better and you will
significantly decrease your risk of developing oral cancer.
If you are
concerned about your oral health, do not wait until it's too
late. A family dentist can counsel tobacco users regarding the
risks of using tobacco products and help plan a sensible
tobacco-cessation program.
In
addition, if you use smokeless tobacco, or have in the past,
you should be on the lookout for some of these early signs of
oral cancer:
-
A sore
that does not heal.
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A lump
or white patch.
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A
prolonged sore throat.
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Difficulty chewing/swallowing.
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A
movement of the tongue or jaws.
-
A
feeling of something in the throat.
Pain is
rarely an early symptom. For this reason all tobacco users
need regular dental check-ups.
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