Health Risks Related to Spit Tobacco (Chewing Tobacco or Snuff)-Topic Overview

Health Risks Related to Spit Tobacco (Chewing Tobacco or Snuff) - Topic Overview

Spit, or smokeless, tobacco products include chewing tobacco and snuff. Some people use spit tobacco because they believe it is less harmful than smoking. Although spit tobacco is less harmful, these products are just as addictive as cigarettes and do have severe health risks.

Spit tobacco causes white, leathery patches (leukoplakia) to form on the inside of the cheek or on the gum. These patches can turn into cancer of the mouth (oral cancer), involving the lip, tongue, or cheek.
People who use spit tobacco have 2 to 3 times more cases of gum disease than people who do not smoke. This can cause tooth loss. Other severe dental problems can also develop.

Nicotine levels from smokeless tobacco are just as high as in cigarettes. This can lead to addiction to the nicotine in smokeless tobacco, making it just as hard to quit as if you were smoking cigarettes.

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Only 18.5% of Americans never floss. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Floss removes food trapped between the teeth and removes the film of bacteria that forms there before it turns to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Try flossing just one tooth to get started.

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily. You are missing out on a simple way to make a big difference in the health of your mouth. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for 3 more days!

You are one of 31% of Americans who don't floss daily, but you're well on your way to making a positive impact on your teeth and gums. Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Aim for all 7 days!

Only 50.5% of Americans floss daily, and good for you that you are one of them! Regardless of how well you brush, plaque still forms between your teeth and along your gums. Toothbrush bristles alone cannot clean effectively between these tight spaces. Flossing removes up to 80% of the film that hardens to plaque, which can cause inflamed gums (gingivitis), cavities, and tooth loss. Congratulations on your good oral health habit!

SOURCES:

American Dental Association, Healthy People 2010

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