Everyone knows that tobacco is carcinogenic/toxic but very few people know that it contains more than 70 carcinogens which not only causes cancer but is also detrimental to the health of any person. More than eight million people worldwide lose their lives due to tobacco-related diseases. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is one of the significant causes of death and disease in India and accounts for nearly 1.35 million deaths every year. Further, India is also the second-largest consumer and producer of tobacco globally, especially since tobacco products are available at low prices. According to GATS survey 2015, more than one third of all the adult population in India consume tobacco in some form. More than 80 percent of the tobacco users are smokeless tobacco chewers making India the ‘Global oral cancer capital’ of the world.
While smoking is harmful to smokers, it can also prove deadly for non-smokers. Around the globe, second-hand smoke has caused 1.2 million deaths and 65,000 fatalities among children. It is also a proven fact that smoking during pregnancy can have adverse effects on both the mother and the unborn child, resulting in several long-term health conditions. Smokeless tobacco causes person to spit thus leading to further spread of infection.
Smoking not only harms a person but it’s also affecting the environment, as nearly 84 lakh tonnes of carbon monoxide is released in atmosphere, because of cigarette production. In turn, this production has also resulted in the widening of the ozone layers, which leads to harmful UV radiation reaching the earth. Further, 220 crore litres of water are used to produce combustible tobacco, which can result in water shortage around the world. Finally, 3.5 million hectares of land containing 60 crore trees are cut every year to sustain the demand for cigarettes, leading to soil erosion and barren land.
1. It can cause mouth cancer
Everyone thinks that tobacco can only cause lung cancer, but the fact is that smokeless tobacco is the main cause of the most common cancer (amongst males) in India. Tobacco contains more than 70 chemicals that can independently cause cancer. It not only effects your mouth but also your throat, food pipe, wide pipe, stomach, and lungs. Additionally, tobacco use is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and other debilitating health conditions.
2. It can cause gum disease, including tooth staining, gum disease and tooth loss
Chewing tobacco and unprocessed tobacco leaves can damage your teeth and gums. This is because nicotine and tobacco contain tiny abrasive particles that gradually tear down the teeth and strip it of its protective layer. In addition, when these particles are mixed with saliva, they form an abrasive paste that can damage teeth and make them yellow. People who smoke are more likely to produce bacterial plaque in their mouth that leads to gum disease. When a smoker develops gum disease, there is a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, further delaying healing. Among adults, smoking is still a common cause of tooth loss, and when a person smokes, they accelerate that process.
3. It can reduce your mouth's sense of taste and smell
Smoking tobacco releases nicotine into the brain, suppressing a person's capability to taste various flavours. The reduced oxygen supply from inhaling tobacco smoke also plays a pivotal role in lowering the mouth's capacity for recognising flavour. In addition, smoking also harms the nasal passage, which can cause inflammation and pain in the mouth, leading to a reduced sense of smell and taste.
4. It can slow down the healing process in the mouth
If a person has ulcers or cuts in their mouth, smoking can damage and slow the healing process to a great degree. This is because tobacco used in smoking can reduce the blood flow and suppress the body's immune response. Besides healing, a smoker will find it challenging to get specific dental treatments done in their mouth as the jawbones and gums would be weak and unable to support any new structures in the mouth.
Smoking, especially tobacco, is a habit that a person must never pick up in their life, and if they have somehow picked it up, they must quit immediately. The decision to quit smoking is one of the best health decisions that a person can take because it can remove all the above adverse health effects, including the risk of oral cancer, and at the same time lower the chance for a variety of cardiovascular conditions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, besides quitting nicotine products, regular brushing, flossing and check-ups with the dentist can go a long way in helping a person maintain good oral health. After all, good oral health is essential for overall health and well-being.
Author
Consultant - Head & Neck Onco Surgery
Source
References
https://www.who.int/health-topics/tobacco#tab=tab_1
https://www.who.int/india/health-topics/tobacco#:~:text=Nearly%20267%20million%20adults%20(15,quid%20with%20tobacco%20and%20zarda.
