Is tobacco harmful to teeth?
Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teenagers who believe that it is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teenagers who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. In as little as three to four months, smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias. If your teenager is a tobacco user you should watch for the following symptoms that could be early signs of oral cancer: A sore that won’t heal White or red leathery patches on your lips, and on or under your tongue Pain, tenderness or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking or moving your jaw or tongue; or a change in the way your teeth fit together Because the early signs of oral cancer usually
