Are smokeless tobacco products are safe?
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Are smokeless tobacco products are safe?
No. Like cigars and cigarettes, smokeless tobacco products (for example, snuff and chewing tobacco) contain at least 28 chemicals that have been shown to increase the risk of oral cancer and cancer of the throat and oesophagus. In fact, chewing tobacco contains higher levels of nicotine than cigarettes, making it harder to give-up than cigarettes. And one tin of snuff delivers more nicotine than over 60 cigarettes.
Smokeless tobacco can irritate your gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from your teeth. Once the gum tissue recedes, your teeth roots become exposed, creating an increased risk of tooth decay. Exposed roots are also more sensitive to hot and cold or other irritants, making eating and drinking uncomfortable.
Additionally, sugars, which are often added to enhance the flavour of smokeless tobacco, can increase your risk of tooth decay. A study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association showed that chewing tobacco users were four times more likely than non-users to develop tooth decay.
Smokeless tobacco also typically contains sand and grit, which can wear down your teeth.
