Smokeless Tobacco and Oral Health: An Eye Opener

Smokeless tobacco products have been in existence for thousands of years among populations in South America and Southeast Asia. Over time, these products have gained popularity in throughout the world. Smokeless tobacco is consumed without burning the product, and can be used orally or nasally. All forms of smokeless tobacco contain high concentrations of toxic agents; over 2,000 chemicals, many of which have been directly related to causing cancer. Being real chewing tobacco dangers of smokeless tobacco hazards, these carcinogens increase the risk of cancer of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx and esophagus. As health professionals, it is our responsibility to let people know about the ill effects of smokeless tobacco on health, on their families, on the society and in turn on the nation and it is only our primary responsibility to help people to quit this habit, and prevent the young generation from falling prey to this deadly habit. This book provides extensively the information on smokeless tobacco, its ill effect on oral health, measures to control its use with special emphasis on role of oral health professionals in tobacco control.