Don’t Underestimate Smokeless Tobacco

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian Categories: Uncategorized

It’s common knowledge that smoking affects your oral health, but let’s not forget about smoking’s destructive counterpart: smokeless chewing tobacco (also known as “snuff”). For those of you who are unfamiliar with this, snuff is a fine grain tobacco that a user places in their mouth between their lips and gums. As saliva generates, the user spits out (instead of swallowing) the saliva tainted black from the tobacco. The result? The user feels the effects immediately as the nicotine goes directly into the blood stream, along with hundreds of carcinogens.

Unlike smoking, where carcinogens are present while inhaling, smokeless tobacco is a constant application of carcinogens siting in one spot for an extended period of time. If tobacco were fire, snuff would be like sticking your hands directly in the flame.

Snuff can harm your health in a number of ways. Everything from tooth discoloration, throat and gum disease, lung and oral cancers, and in some untreated cases, death. The greatest and most common concern for snuff users is gum cancer. The common warning signs are scaly patterns on the inside of the mouth or lips and red sores. If left untreated or undetected, the condition will develop into oral cancer.

So what can you do to avoid developing a serious illness? The first is obvious: stop the habit all together! We know, that’s a lot easier said than done. Try going the route of nicotine patches or gum. You’ll provide your body with the nicotine it craves, while not damaging your oral health. You can also visit your dentist frequently. The ADA recommends that smokeless tobacco users see their dentist more often than normal. Frequent trips to the dentist will help you keep an eye out for oral lesions that may later develop.

How a Virus Can Help Prevent Infections

Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Faculty of Medicine have found a virus, of all things, that may help solve some problems of root canals. Their research suggests that we can turn the tables on post-procedural bacterial infections by utilizing a type of virus called a bacteriophage. Bacteriophage viruses attack bacteria specifically, which offers […]

Bacteria-Causing Gum Disease May Lead to Oral Cancer Growth

As we get older, we need to pay more and more attention to our oral hygiene. If we keep it healthy, we will be at a less risk for common issues such as cavities, but more importantly, we will limit our risk for gum disease and oral cancer. A recent study from Case Western states […]

Redheads More Resistant to Novocaine

Although the connection seems unlikely, there is new evidence that suggests that if you have red hair, you are more resistant to local anesthetics like Novocaine. This fact leads to redheads being about 20% more likely to have anxiety about dental procedure, and are much more likely to skip a trip to their dentist! All […]

Different Types of Dental X-Rays

During a dental appointment, it’s not uncommon for your dentist to want to take a closer look at what’s going on inside your mouth using an X-ray. They’re useful tools for dental professionals, but for the rest of us, they can sometimes be a little intimidating. Here’s a quick guide on some of the most […]

Could 3D Printing Be the Future of Root Canals?

Root canals are one of the most common dental procedures in the United States. Annually, approximately 15 million are conducted. If you do the math, that’s around 41,000 a day! Despite their status as a mainstay in dentistry, as well as the best way to save a tooth, root canals can occasionally have adverse effects […]