Chewing Tobacco and How it Affects Your Oral Health

There are many things you can do to improve the health of your teeth and gums. Proper daily oral hygiene not only involves brushing and flossing but what you put into your mouth as well. No matter how good you take care of your oral health, using chewing tobacco can lead to many problems regarding your teeth, gums, and the complete health inside of your mouth.

Chewing tobacco is similar in components to tobacco found in cigarettes. However, since chewing tobacco is held in the mouth, this form of tobacco may be worse for your oral health than smoking cigarettes. There are many carcinogenic ingredients in tobacco. When you hold it in your mouth on a regular basis, this can mutate the cells in the mouth to create lesions, sores, and even cancerous tumors anywhere in the mouth and throat.

In addition to an increased risk for developing cancer, chewing tobacco can cause other oral health problems as well. Tobacco can stain the teeth, making it more difficult to keep teeth looking their best. Chewing tobacco can lead to an increased risk of periodontal disease and tooth loss as well as other conditions.

If you use chewing tobacco, it is especially important to keep up with your regular dental examinations. Our North Hollywood dentist can help you take better care of your teeth and recommend options to quit tobacco use for better oral hygiene and overall health and well-being.