Is Smokeless Tobacco Just As Dangerous to Your Teeth?
Posted on 6/7/2021 by Fairmount Dental Center
Chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products are dangerous. The most popular types of smokeless tobacco products include chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco products. These products carry the same risk as smoking, and even more so. It is important to know the risk to your overall health when choosing to use smokeless tobacco products or not. Similarly, you must consider how smokeless tobacco products can cause serious damage to your teeth.
Smokeless Tobacco and Nicotine
Smokeless tobacco products contain nicotine. When these products are used, nicotine is absorbed through the tissues of the mouth. On occasion, nicotine is even swallowed. Nicotine is the product that makes tobacco addictive. Some suggest that using smokeless tobacco products actually increases the amount of nicotine in your body as opposed to smoking.
How Smokeless Tobacco Affects Your Teeth
In addition to nicotine, smokeless tobacco includes sugar and other irritant causing ingredients. These components can cause receding gums, gum disease, and bone loss around the roots of the teeth. Smokeless tobacco can cause tooth decay and cavities. Your teeth can be stained with prolonged use as well. In addition, smokeless tobacco products increase the risk of developing leukoplakia. These are characteristic small white patches in your mouth. They are precancerous. They have the potential to turn into cancer. If you contract oral cancer, your teeth will be affected, and you may even experience tooth loss as a result.
Schedule Your Routing Cleaning
It is important to maintain your routine cleaning and checkup regardless of your smokeless tobacco usage. Checking for leukoplakia is a high priority as well keeping your teeth clean. We can help advise you with research based interventions to overcome a smokeless tobacco addiction. We want to help you have the best possible health as well as the best possible smile.
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Chewing tobacco and other smokeless tobacco products are dangerous. The most popular types of smokeless tobacco products include chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, and dissolvable tobacco products. These products carry the same risk as smoking, and even more so. It is important to know the risk to your overall health when choosing to use smokeless tobacco products or not. Similarly, you must consider how smokeless tobacco products can cause serious damage to your teeth. 
