Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Cancer Columbia SC
Worried about Oral Cancer Columbia SC? Dr. Griffin of Wildewood dental would like to answer any questions you may have. Give us a call.
If there’s one thing dentists of Columbia, SC agree on, it’s undoubtedly the importance of your oral health. At Wilde Wood Aesthetic Dentistry, Dr. Griffin and our team make health and beauty of your mouth our first responsibility. That’s why we wanted to share some information on the use of smokeless tobacco, and the risk of oral cancer.
It may be no secret that smokeless tobacco is bad for your general and oral health. Surprisingly, there are still many out there who feel only smoking tobacco products puts them at risk for oral health issues, including cancer. However, chewing tobacco contains around 2,000 chemicals, a good number of them directly linked to oral cancer. Not only is cancer a risk if you are chewing tobacco, it’s damaging to your oral health in many ways, including:
- Increased risk of tooth decay
- Discoloration
- Bad breath
- Tooth abrasion
If you use smokeless tobacco products, kicking the habit will do wonders for your entire body, including your oral health, and will reduce your risk for oral cancer. If you are or have been a user of smokeless tobacco, watch for symptoms of oral cancer, and seek the advice of your dentist as soon as possible if they arise. Some symptoms to watch for may be sores in the mouth that do not heal, lumps, white or gray patches anywhere in the mouth, a persistent sore throat, or the inability to move your jaw or tongue properly.
Unfortunately, oral cancer statistics are not very promising. However, when caught early, your chances of successful recovery are. Dentists of Columbia, SC will agree, that if you feel you are at risk for oral cancer, there is nothing more important than seeking diagnosis and beginning treatment immediately. If you have oral hygiene concerns, contact our office to schedule your exam!
