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THE EFFECTS
OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS ON THE ORAL CAVITY
By Dr. Niki Andrews
There are so many reasons to avoid tobacco products. Every year
more than 30,000 cases of oral cancer are diagnosed. A mere 50 %
of patients will survive 5 years or more.
Nitrosamines are the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco. Nicotine
is the culprit that makes it so hard for people to quit their habit.
It is a highly addictive drug and found in all tobacco products.
Specifically mouth cancers are tough to treat. With any malignancy,
early detection is the key to a successful treatment.
The signs to watch for in the mouth are red or white patches or
sores. If these areas in the mouth are present longer than 14 days,
professional advice by your dentist is in order. When caught early,
often these lesions are reversible with proper intervention. Neglect
can have disastrous effects.
Other negative influences of smoking or tobacco use are bad breath,
dirty stained teeth, bleeding gums and foul smelling saliva. So
ask yourself is your oral health and appearance worth quitting this
dangerous habit?
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