TOBACCO AND ORAL HEALTH

By Rukoma AM, 2013 Introduction Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. Approximately 6 million deaths related to tobacco use occur each year, including 600,000 from second-hand smoke. If current trends continue, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, approximately 8 million persons will die each year from tobacco use, and 80% of those persons will reside in low- and middle-income countries (WHO, 2012) While it is easy to start smoking, it is very difficult to stop as it is addictive due to nicotine content which it contains naturally and additionally the one in spray to control tobacco bugs. Researches have shown that about 75% 0f those who smoke have tried to stop but failed. Things which contain tobacco can be classified into two forms, those which can be smoked and smokeless. Smoking things include; cigarette, cigar, pipe and hookah while smokeless things include; snuff, chew and snus. There many health problems related to tobacco but while mention those related to oral health which include:- • Stain teeth • Tooth decay • Gum recession • Bad breath • Oral cancer It is important to know that oral health also affects the health of our whole body Know let us look into each of the oral problems related to tobacco Teeth stains There many causes of teeth stain, but tobacco is the leading cause. But tobacco causes two types of staining on teeth. Initially, it accumulates on the surface like a brownish crud, as you see in the photo below. This superficial stain can be removed with a professional cleaning. But, over the years, some of the stain will soak into the teeth and makes the whole tooth turn a darker color. No toothpaste will remove this but tooth whitening. A light tobacco stain on teeth this is a heavier stain Tooth decay Individuals who use chewing tobacco have significantly more decay on the crowns and roots of their teeth than do non-tobacco users, according to a report presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research. The study suggests that chewing tobacco may pose a cariogenic risk for all tooth surfaces and is potentially a two-pronged threat for tooth roots. There is good evidence, according to the investigators, that tobacco products in general can contribute to gum disease and therefore make roots vulnerable to decay. Furthermore, they say, chewing tobacco is processed to contain higher levels of sugar than other forms of tobacco, and the sugar can encourage bacteria to colonize and attack both the tooth crowns and exposed roots (Carrol; 2004). Gum recession Tobacco users are more likely to have sticky plaque on their teeth that is difficult to remove because of rough surface caused by stain, which can cause gum diseases and associate recession. Bad breath There are several reasons why people who smoke are far more likely to suffer from a particular type oral malodor called smoker's breath. The most immediate way that cigarettes cause bad breath is by leaving smoke particles in the throat and lungs. This effect is typical of nearly any tobacco product that involves inhaling smoke or rolling it around in the mouth. The smell of a freshly smoked cigarette can linger in the lungs for hours, hence the stale scent associated with smoker's breath. A 1968 report published in the journal Chemical reviews found that tobacco smoke contains more than 60 aromatic hydrocarbons, most of which are carcinogenic in addition to conveying a fragrance. A more recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry focused only on which compounds can be found in the saliva after smoking one-half of a cigar. Its authors determined that ethyl pyrrole, 2,3-dimethyl pyrazine and 2-ethyl pyridine are some of the most pungent chemicals found in what is often referred to as cigar breath. They added that many such compounds are generated during the combustion of tobacco and its chemical additives (Katz; 2011). Remember my recent post in mabadilikotanzania@googlegroup.com where I narrated that, I almost failed to finish an hour minor operation because of bad breath from the patient. Oral cancer Tobacco use is known as a major risk factor for oral and other cancers. All tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, and snuff, contain toxins (poisonous substances), carcinogens (cancer-causing agents), and nicotine (an addictive substance). Each tobacco product is linked to an increased risk for specific cancers: About 80 percent of people with oral cancers use tobacco. Cigarettes contain more than 60 cancer-causing agents while more than 28 cancer-causing chemicals have been found in smokeless tobacco. The American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association offer the following tips to persons who use tobacco products and are trying to quit: • Think about why you want to quit. • Pick a stress-free time to quit. • Ask for support and encouragement from family, friends, and colleagues. • Start doing some exercise or activity each day to relieve stress and improve your health. • Get plenty of rest and eat a well-balanced diet. • Join a stop-smoking program, or other support group. Conclusion Despite the fact that I have touched only the effects tobacco in the oral cavity its effect on general body health can not be overemphasized. More efforts, both at individual level and community at large should be enhanced to stop this killer source of income tobacco.