You may think that there’s a loophole to being able to smoke without concerns of cancer risk: smokeless tobacco. In actuality, chewing and other types of smokeless tobacco actually increase the risk for oral cancer just as much as cigars, cigarettes, and pipes. Austin laser dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale always encourages patients to avoid tobacco products for their highly carcinogenic effects on people as well as their effect on your dental health.
Higher Tooth Loss Rates
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) says that smoking causes an average of two lost teeth every ten years. Smoking can wreak havoc on your gingival tissues, depriving your blood of oxygen. This irritation can lead to periodontal disease. When gum disease becomes severe, it’s called periodontitis, and it is the biggest cause of tooth loss in adults. Furthermore, smokers have a much harder time recovering from oral surgery. The battery your teeth take from all of that smoke, tobacco, and other chemicals in cigarettes won’t only cause stains, but can also add to tooth decay issues.
Oral Cancer
Meanwhile, there’s oral cancer to contend with. Everyone knows that smoking is a major contributor to lung cancer, but this isn’t the only thing to worry about. The Oral Cancer Foundation sites 8,000 deaths in America every single year from oral cancer which smoking often links to. Our mouths can be the home to many odd bumps and lesions that usually go away – canker sores, cuts, irritation from accidentally biting tissue when you’re eating or chewing gum. This is why preventive dental care is so important. Oral cancer screenings are a regular part of going to the dentist for preventive checkups. An early diagnosis greatly improves the potential for successful treatment and survival.
Chewing Tobacco
AGD researchers noted that the carcinogenic properties of chewing tobacco is even more potent than cigarettes. They hypothesize is that this is a result of the way that smokeless tobacco sits directly on mouth tissues for an extended period of time. However, as Nathan Cobb, MD., research investigator at the Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at the American Legacy Foundation aptly compares, cigarettes are akin to jaywalking, whereas chewing tobacco is like jaywalking with a blindfold on. Either way, you are knowingly putting yourself at dental risk.
Visit your Austin Dentist
To consult with Dr. Ragsdale about tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, or any dental health issues, schedule an appointment by calling Austin Laser Dentistry at (512) 346-4690. We proudly welcome patients from Austin, Round Rock, and all neighboring communities.
