JUST over 41 years ago, as a student, I smoked three packs of cigarettes a day and consumed rum frequently. Then I read that the combination significantly increases the person’s chances of developing cancer. I immediately quit the vices, never to indulge again. Fear of the harmful consequence eliminated future cravings.
A professional colleague once told me that every time he polishes the teeth of a male smoker over 60 years old, he almost expects the patient’s visit to be the last one. He feels that such a patient may very well die from cancer, sooner rather than later.
The distressing news for inveterate smokers is that in many respects, they are no different from cocaine or marijuana users since it has been established that this practice is not a habit as was formerly believed, but really an addiction complete with the inherent physical and psychological dependence. Among numerous hazards are oral cancer, rampant caries, gingivitis, stomatitis, (infection of the lining of the mouth) and staining of the teeth.
Statistics show that only three percent of all mouth cancers occur in persons who have never smoked, while those who chew tobacco have the highest chance of dying from the disease.
The tongue is by far the most common area affected. Most often, oral cancer appears as a chronic, painful sore or ulcer, which had developed from a white patch. The deeper in the mouth it is found, the faster it may kill the victim. In other words, cancer on the soft palate is far more dangerous than one located on the lip.
The prevalence of mouth cancers increases with age, with 98 percent of over 40 year-old cases. Of particular interest is the fact that there is a significant increase in the incidence in combination with alcohol. In fact, recent studies indicate that even beer and wine could cause oral cancer, especially when consumed by inveterate cigarette smokers.
Can oral cancer be prevented? To a great extent, yes. Regular mouth and throat examinations can detect the condition at its earliest, most curable stage. Survival rates are around 75 percent if detected then. On the other hand, without periodic examinations and tests by your dentist, risks the increase and survival rates decrease. A diet rich in vitamins A and C, moderation or abstention from tobacco and alcohol constitutes modes of prevention. Progressively decreasing the number of cigarettes smoked daily is the recommended method to get rid of the addiction.
In addition to over 300 other poisons, smoke from the cigarette contains nicotine and condensate (tar), which deposit on the tooth’s surface, leaving a dark brown to black over some time. Because the enamel has tiny pores, the nicotine eventually penetrates into the tooth’s body, thus virtually incorporating itself in the dentin structure. Polishing cannot even remove it and the teeth, therefore, become permanently stained.
Destabilization of the integrity of various tissues in the mouth as a result of the constantly pervading heat and chemical-laden tobacco smoke, leads to many local and systemic inflammatory conditions. The destruction of the cilia, which functions by sweeping dust particles down the gullet from nasal lining and throat, results in the chronic smokers cough.
Health care workers’ awareness of tobacco issues may vary from just mentioning to their patients that smoking cessation will contribute to the general state of good health to routine offers of advice and written material on quitting the tobacco habit. More formal assistance may include delivery of cessation programmes in small groups or on a one-to-one basis in a clinical setting. It is important to note that even less intensive interventions may have an important impact on public health.
