Smoking and Chewing
Smoking and Chewing
Cigarette, pipe, cigar, bidi smoking and also snuff are some forms of tobacco use that has been estimated to account for over 90% of cancers in the oral cavity,
Chewing substances with or without tobacco, such as areca nuts, betel quid/gutka, Qat, paan are also addictive and have similar adverse effects on oral health.
Reverse smoking – Reverse smoking is a common practice in some parts of India, whereby the lighted end of a homemade cigar is held inside the mouth.
What to look for
General health conditions associated with smoking and chewing
Smoking damages your heart and your blood circulation, increasing your risk of developing conditions such as:
- Coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke
- peripheral vascular disease (damaged blood vessels)
- Damage to lungs leading to conditions such as: bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia
- Cancers – most commonly lung cancer
Oral health conditions associated with smoking and chewing
- Stained teeth and bad breath
- Reduced sense of taste
- Increase in severity of periodontal (gum disease)
- Delayed wound/extraction (dry socket) healing
- White and red patches (leukoplakia, smokers keratosis, submucous fibrosis, reverse smoking burn)
- Mouth cancer – oral cancers are associated with tobacco smoking especially combined with heavy alcohol intake
Treatment
stopping tobacco use and decreasing alcohol consumption to reduce the risk of oral cancers, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
Risk factors
Alcohol – The risks of tobacco use greatly increase when it is used in combination with alcohol or areca nut.
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