Tobacco and Dental Disease

Scientific evidence has proven conclusively harmful, and ultimately lethal health effects on tobacco, both on users, and those exposed to second hand smoke. Dental disease is no exception.

Lest reader think this article is intended as a diatribe against smokers, author, an ex-smoker, clearly appreciates overwhelming addiction of tobacco products. Tobacco addiction has been compared to heroin, and cessation of habit is undeniably difficult. Just ask Mark Twain, who claimed to have "quit a thousand times."

Of course, best approach to addiction is preventive. Public education about deleterious effects of tobacco is mandatory, particularly for school age children. As you've heard in war on drugs:

"Talk to your kids." Tobacco is a dangerous drug and a potent addiction. Smokeless tobacco, snuff or chewing tobacco, is not a suitable alternative. It adversely affects dental, as well as systemic health. It may deliver even more harmful nicotine than smoking tobacco. About 8,000 people die every year from use of smokeless tobacco, 70 percent of which are from oral cancer. It is not pleasant cause of death.

Tobacco use, in any form, causes bad breath, discolors teeth and promotes periodontal disease, primary cause of tooth loss in adults. Tobacco users have a decreased sense of smell and taste, and experience a higher incidence of sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. most common sign of possible cancer in tobacco users is leukoplakia,(loo-ko-play-key-ah) a white scaly patch or lesion inside mouth or lips, common among many smokeless tobacco users.

Red sores are also a warning sign of cancer. Unfortunately, signs of precancerous lesions are undetectable. Dentists may be able to diagnose such cases before condition develops into oral cancer. If a white or red sore appears and doesn't heal, see your dentist immediately for an evaluation. Caution may prove to be a life saver.

There have been many approaches toward eliminating a tobacco addiction. first step is to recognize that it is, in fact, an addiction, and a serious one. Your dentist can help you kick habit.

In addition to cleaning teeth and treating bad breath and puffy, swollen gums associated with tobacco use, your dentist may prescribe a variety of nicotine replacement therapies, such as transdermal nicotine patch or chewing gum that helps to wean addicted snuff dippers or tobacco chewers.

Nicotine patches are worn for 24 hours over several weeks, supplying a steady flow of nicotine. major brands of patches are Habitrol, Nicoderm, Nicotrol and Prostep. Over course of treatment amount of nicotine in patch decreases. nicotine patch has a 25 percent success rate. Or you may try nicotine gum therapy on your quit day. One piece of gum is slowly chewed every 1-2 hours.

Each piece should be discarded after 20-30 minutes. However cruel it may seem, quitting "cold turkey" has proven to yield highest success rate. For your health, and the well being of those you love, it is never too late to rid yourself of this nasty,expensive and lethal habit.