Chewing Tobacco

Chewing Tobacco
Apart from Smoking, Tobacco is taken in various other forms: Tobacco with betel leaves, Chewing tobacco (khaini), Guthkha, Tobacco snuff.
People who chew tobacco for many years are 50 times more likely to get oral cancer, gum disease and losetheir teeth than people who do not chew.The risk of other cancers, heart disease, and ulcerative colitis is 50-70% higher among chewers.Nicotine addiction and dependence is also very real with chewing tobacco. Nicotine addiction leads to increased heart rate and blood pressure. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels and limits oxygen supply throughout the body.Chewing tobacco leaves irritating juices in contact with gums, cheeks and lips for prolonged periods of time. This can lead to a condition called leukoplakia which appears as a smooth, white patch or as leathery-looking wrinkled skin.Oral leukoplakic lesions have been seen upon continued use of tobacco use, which undergo transformation to a dysplastic state. The dysplastic lesions can further develop into carcinomas.Tobacco chewing leads to: Cancer of the oral cavity Cancer of the pharynx, larynx Cancer of esophagus. The potent carcinogens found in snuff and chewing tobacco include nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and radiation-emitting polonium. Oral lesions caused by chewing tobacco rarely cause pain and thus such persons should regularly undergo dental checkups. Some of the danger signs in those who chew tobacco: Oral sore that won’t heal Oral lump or white patch Prolonged sore throat Difficulty in chewing Restricted movement of the tongue or jaws A feeling of something in the throat More Dangers of Chewing Tobacco Hazards The enamel of the teeth gets eroded causing sensitivity problems of teeth. Tooth decay. Stained teeth and bad breath are common among long-term smokeless tobacco users. Chewing tobacco reduces the senses of taste and smell. Chewing tobacco consistently in the same spot can cause permanent gum damage and damage to the supporting bone structure resulting to loss of teeth. Damage to gums leads to leukoplakic lesions which in turn lead to cancer.

Smoking Tobacco Facts