Smokeless tobacco: not as sweet as you think Published Dec. 10, 2008 By Rickie Trahan 96th Dental Squadronq EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Did you know that oral cancer is the sixth most common form of cancer? Tobacco companies are marketing spit tobacco with flavors such as berry blend, mint, wintergreen, apple blend, vanilla and cherry to increase sales. These companies even advertise that spit tobacco is better than cigarettes because it won't make your hair, clothes and breath smell like an ashtray. It is, however, not something that could be considered as date bait. What is so attractive about a bulging cheek or lip? Not to mention gunk stuck in your teeth, permanently discolored teeth and the constant need to spit. Setting the hype aside, let's take a closer look at smokeless tobacco products and their side effects. The National Cancer Institute has identified 28 cancer-causing agents in smokeless tobacco products. Nicotine is another agent found in smokeless tobacco. Some stop-smoking programs will lead you to believe that smokeless tobacco is safer than cigarettes. As a matter of fact, holding an average amount of dip in your mouth for 30 minutes is equivalent to smoking three cigarettes. A person who dips two cans a week gets the same amount of nicotine as a person who smokes one and a half packs a day for one week. Typically a person who dips or chews will over time increase the number of times tobacco is used in a day or change to a stronger brand of tobacco to satisfy the nicotine cravings. The following is a short survey to indicate a person's addiction to nicotine: __ I no longer get dizzy or sick when I dip/chew __ I dip more often and in different settings __ I've switched to a stronger tobacco or I dip more often __ I swallow juice from my tobacco regularly __ I sometimes sleep with tobacco in my mouth __ I dip or chew first thing in the morning __ I find it hard to go more than several hours without smokeless tobacco __ I have strong cravings when I go without The more items you check, the more likely that you are addicted to smokeless tobacco. Nicotine addiction is not the only affect of using smokeless tobacco. There is evidence to suggest that dipping or chewing tobacco can increase your heart rate, blood pressure and also your cholesterol levels. People who dip or chew tobacco are at a higher risk for cavities due to the high amounts of sugar. A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found smokeless tobacco users are four times more likely to develop cavities. Another side affect of smokeless tobacco is gum disease; the sugar and irritants cause the gums to pull away (recede) from the teeth in the area of the mouth where you place the tobacco. Other more severe affects are precancerous lesions of the mouth called leukoplakia. These are white scaly patches found in the mouth where the tobacco is placed. Luekoplakia occurs in more than half of all users within the first 3 years of tobacco use. Studies have shown that 60-70% of tobacco users have some form of oral lesions, and that leukoplakia lesions can become cancerous 3-5% of the time. The use of smokeless tobacco increases your risk for oral cancer; which includes cancer of the mouth, throat, cheek, gums, lips and tongue. Surgery to remove these areas can leave a person physically disfigured. The American Cancer Society reports that 30,000-40,000 cases of oral cancer occur annually. Smokeless tobacco use is a prime risk factor for oral cancer as are heavy alcohol use and smoking. As with other forms of cancer, early detection is the key to survival. When oral cancer is caught in the early stages, survival rates are as high as 81%, compared to a 17% survival rate when caught in the late stages. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommend the following procedure for oral cancer self exams: - Use a flashlight or bright light to see inside your mouth - Remove any dental appliances - Facing the mirror, look and feel inside your lips and front of gums - Pull your cheek out to see the inside of your cheek and gums - Feel for lumps or enlarged lymph nodes in both sides of neck and under the jaw Things to look for while examining your mouth: red patches or white patches; raised lumpy or thickened areas, sores that fail to heal within 2 weeks or sores that bleed easily. Other signs of oral cancer may include chronic sore throat, hoarseness and difficulty chewing or swallowing. If you have any questions following an oral self exam, ask your dentist. Also make sure when you visit your dentist, you have an oral cancer screening completed annually. If you are using smokeless tobacco it's NEVER too late to quit. If you decide to quit, you should set a quit date, and get support from friends and family. To help with the nicotine addiction, consider prescription medications from your doctor, or try over the counter nicotine replacement therapy. For more information on quitting, call the Health and Wellness Center at 883-8022. Given all the chemicals and side affects of smokeless tobacco, it definitely will not leave a sweet taste in you.