In the United States alone, tobacco use is responsible for one in five deaths, primarily from cardiovascular disease, lung cancer, other cancers and diseases of the respiratory tract. In North America, approximately 75% of all oral cancers are related to tobacco and alcohol consumption. At least 80% of oral cancer patients are smokers, and oral cancer patients who continue smoking after treatment are much more likely to develop other head or neck cancer.
Tobacco consumption is also associated with other types of oral health problems resulting from severe (increased risk of periodontal disease) on the social (bad breath), including:
* Gingivitis
* Periodontitis
* Increased Severity of Periodontitis
* Gum recession
* Sticky tar deposits on teeth
* Brown stains on teeth
* "Smoker’s palate" (a red inflammation on the roof of the mouth)
* Delayed wound healing
* Caries (possibly a secondary effect due to the large quantities of sugar into smokeless products, or less frequent dental check-ups)
* Tooth abrasion (possibly through the sand and dust in processed tobacco, including smoking pipes, from teeth presses the pipe between his teeth)
* Reduced blood flow to the oral area
* Candidacies
* Sinusitis
* Altered taste
* Bad breath
* Black hairy tongue oral lesions
* Precancerous changes in soft tissue
Tobacco consumption is also related to many other problems, including cancers of the larynx, esophagus, pancreas and bladder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis and other respiratory diseases, stomach ulcers, low birth weight babies and spontaneous abortions. All tobacco products, cigarettes, smokeless / spit tobacco, cigars and pipes are associated with oral cancer.
Logic alone suggests that tobacco use has an impact on the teeth, gums and bone tissue. Cigarettes and other types of tobacco products contain many irritants, toxins and carcinogens. Pipe and cigar tobacco contain sulfur. More than a fifth of the content of some brands of smokeless tobacco is sugar. Even smokeless tobacco contains over 2000 chemicals, many of which were directly linked to cancer.
The most important preventive measure used to prevent health problems caused by tobacco use is the use of tobacco products. The risk of developing oral cancer drops rapidly, if a tobacco-smoking is no longer used. After ten years with tobacco, a ex-smoker/user ‘s risk of oral cancer is about the same as for someone who has never smoked.
With stop smoking or using tobacco products, is much easier said than done. The nicotine found in substantial amounts in tobacco products is widely known as a powerfully addictive drug. But it is important to remember that it will be difficult not to use tobacco has immediate health benefits, including increased life expectancy and a lower risk of tobacco-related diseases and conditions.