Hello NYC cosmetic dental friends. Today’s topic is ‘The Dangers Of Smokeless Tobacco’.
Cigarette sales at most NYC stores have decreased in the past decade, but some tobacco consumers have switched to smokeless products.
There is a common misconception in the NYC area (especially among teens) that smokeless tobacco is harmless. This is absolutely not true. Regardless of the specific type: spit tobacco, snuff, chew, or pinch, this form of tobacco is as deadly as conventional cigarettes.
At Marc J. Beshar Dentistry, we encounter serious consequences of smokeless tobacco use because many occur in the mouth. Oral cancer, mouth lesions, gum disease and tooth decay are the most common dental problems caused by smokeless tobacco in NYC.
Keeping a pinch between your cheek and gum all day is worse than keeping an all-day sucker. The tobacco contains almost as much sugar as the candy but delivers harmful chemicals as an added bonus. The dangers are two-fold: the tobacco erodes the teeth and also causes the gums to pull away from teeth.
Precancerous Mouth Lesion Screening in NYC: Mouth Lesions are painful sores that could eventually become cancer. If smokeless tobacco use is stopped, the lesions often disappear within a year for NYC dental patients.
Oral Cancer in NYC: Smokeless tobacco use in NYC increases the risk for several types of life-threatening cancers including those of the mouth, gums, lips, tongue, and throat.
Oral cancers can be as deadly as lung cancer and usually require surgery. If the NYC patient is fortunate and the cancer is successfully removed with surgery, the collateral damage to the face, neck, or jaw is not pretty.
These are the main dental risks of smokeless tobacco. I should also mention two other biggies: addiction and heart disease, though those are topics for another day.
At Marc J. Beshar Dentistry in NYC, we perform oral cancer screenings and mouth lesions dental examinations. To schedule an appointment, call 212-753-2240.
If want to quit using smokeless tobacco products, we recommend that you consult Dr. Beshar at Marc J. Beshar Dentistry, your primary care doctor, or your NYC pharmacist.
Dr. Marc Beshar
Marc J. Beshar Dentistry
25 Central Park W, Ste 1C
New York City, New York 10023
https://www.drbeshar.com/