Cigarettes, cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco all negatively impact oral health, often in ways that are both painful and dangerous. Tobacco use is strongly linked to oral cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, lips, and gums. Cigarettes can cause gum disease, stained teeth, and even tooth loss. Cigars, even without inhaling, can cause mouth and throat cancers, while hookah (waterpipe tobacco) use is associated with lip and oral cancers. E-cigarettes may promote gum disease and dental decay due to sticky aerosols that cling to teeth and gums, leading to infections and discomfort. Smokeless tobacco (dip, snuff, chew) increases the risk of oral cancer, with users often developing precancerous white or red patches in the mouth. The good news: quitting tobacco use can stop further damage and greatly reduce your risk of oral cancers and gum disease.
Key Facts:
- Cigarettes increase risk for multiple cancers, including mouth, throat, lung, and esophagus.
- Cigars and hookah use are linked to cancers of the mouth and lips.
- E-cigarette aerosols stick to teeth and gums, encouraging bacteria growth.
- Smokeless tobacco causes precancerous white or red mouth patches.
- Quitting tobacco cuts oral cancer risks in half within 5 years.
Tobacco harms more than just your lungs—it takes a serious toll on your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. If you currently use tobacco, speak with a health care provider about quitting strategies such as FDA-approved nicotine replacement therapies. Protecting your smile is protecting your health.
**Preventing youth from using tobacco helps to ensure a healthier, more productive future generation.**
戒烟，保护你的健康 (Jièyān, bǎohù nǐ de jiànkāng) – Quit smoking, protect your health.
Reference:https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-effects-tobacco-use/how-tobacco-use-affects-oral-health
