The Effects of Chewing Tobacco

Thinking About Quitting? We Can Help.

Chewing tobacco, also known as dip, chew and snuff, is used by approximately 3.2% of people aged 12 and older in the US. It comes in different forms, cuts, flavors and styles. But it is all deadly. The effects of chewing tobacco can be life changing, and even ending.

Chewing Tobacco Effects:

The effects of chewing tobacco on your body can make up a list as long as your arm. There is the obvious effect of becoming addicted to nicotine that you should worry about. Nicotine causes the body to become dependent on its effects and can even lead to smoking cigarettes. Although there is not conclusive evidence linking chewing tobacco and Cardiovascular Disease, that does not mean a user is home free of other diseases that chewing tobacco causes. For men, you might want to put down the chew, because there is increasing evidence that chewing tobacco lowers your sperm count. Not only does it lower your sperm count, it has proven to produce abnormally shaped sperm in moderate to heavy chewing tobacco users. Not only is it your reproductive health to consider, but think about losing your sense of taste and smell. When those senses are gone, a person loses their appetite because the food no longer tastes good. You can develop abnormal or unwanted eating habits because of it. The mouth becomes compromised with the use of chewing tobacco. Gums can recede, which means your teeth won’t have anything to hold them in. A user can also experience gum disease which in turn causes bleeding gums while brushing and red, swollen, and tender gums.

Warning: The Effects of Chewing Tobacco Can be Deadly

Other Effects of Smokeless:

But, the gums aren’t all that is at risk in the mouth, teeth can start to decay, they can loosen or fall out, which causes a change in way you bite. Teeth can even develop abrasions and pus pockets can form in between the teeth and gums. You can develop persistent bad breath, which let’s face it repels any potential romantic partner, and you can develop a persistent sore throat with a side of white patches in your mouth. A chewing tobacco user is also faced with developing chronic ulcers, or Peptic Ulcer Disease. Let us not forget the higher risk to developing tumors in the upper digestive tract, and elsewhere.

The Cancerous Effects:

As a user, you can develop tumors especially in your mouth and upper digestive track area. These tumors can lead to Leukoplakia, which is basically pre-cancer, or cancer itself. You can develop cancer anywhere in the mouth which can mean ugly tumors, chemotherapy, and even loosing parts of your mouth. It doesn’t stop at the mouth. Cancer can appear in your pharynx which can cause breathing difficulties, headaches, persistent headaches, nose bleeds, and swelling of the neck. Cancer in the larynx, another common side effect, causes changes in, and loss off, voice, as well as, inability to eat, swallow, and make for harder breathing. Chewing tobacco also causes cancer in the esophagus which means that eating and swallowing will be extremely difficult, if not impossible.

The Effects of Dip in Pregnant Women:

Pregnant women often think that exchanging smoking cigarettes for chewing tobacco will be safer for the baby. This is untrue. Chewing tobacco still affects a baby’s birth weight because it releases nicotine into the bloodstream. It can also cause premature birth of the baby, which means potential health risks because of under developed lungs. Chewing tobacco is still tobacco so it can have the same or similar effects on a pregnant woman and baby. Mom can experience high blood pressure (preeclampsia), fluid retention, swelling, and red pouches in her mouth. Baby can be born with nicotine dependence, and even have morbidity. Some babies can die in utero or can die shortly after birth due to the negative effects of nicotine found in chewing tobacco. Is it really worth your baby’s life?

Chewing Tobacco Effects After You Quit:

The effects of chewing tobacco don’t stop, just because you stop using it. The effects of chewing tobacco continue. Like any addiction, quitting nicotine is hard. You will have nicotine cravings that are intense. These cravings can cause you to be unable to concentrate and/or sleep. Because you cannot sleep you will be tired. Breaking the addiction causes irritability and anxiety because you are not getting the nicotine your body has come accustomed to. You can also become depressed due to insomnia and fatigue. Weight gain is a common side effect of quitting because you may be eating rather than using the chewing tobacco and you also start to get your appetite back. Because your diet will most likely change, you can become constipated as well. So just because you quit doesn’t mean you are done. The best bet to avoid all this is never start in the first place.

50 Chewing Tobacco Effects

Here is a list of 50 effects of chewing tobacco that can’t be ignored. If your ready to quit dipping, we can help. Check out our forum.

Low Sperm Counts: Regular use of chewing tobacco has been strongly linked with low sperm counts. There is even some evidence that suggests that heavy tobacco use can damage the DNA of sperm, which may result in abnormal fetal development and an increased risk of cancer for the next generation.
Cancer: Chewing tobacco products used in the United States have very high levels of cancer-causing agents called carcinogens. These carcinogens cause lung cancer in animals, even when injected into their blood. There are other kinds of cancer-causing agents in smokeless tobacco, too, such as benzoapyrene. These carcinogens may be why several types of cancer are linked to the use of smokeless tobacco.
Leukoplakia: Using chewing tobacco can increase the risk of Leukoplakia; a condition that causes patches to form in the mouth. These patches, while painless, are caused from irritation in the mouth from either dental problems or tobacco related products. Oral cancer can also cause Leukoplakia.
Pharynx Cancer: This type of cancer forms in tissues of the pharynx, which is the hollow tube inside the neck, starting behind the nose and ending at the top of the windpipe and esophagus. The most common symptom of cancer of the pharynx is a feeling of a lump in the throat or difficulty swallowing. The largest predictor and risk for this cancer is using tobacco related products.
Larynx Cancer: Larynx is the voice box that is located at the top of the windpipe. Most people who develop larynx cancer are over the age of 55. Stopping the use of tobacco products dramatically decreases the risk of cancer of the larynx. Symptoms of Larynx Cancer include a painless hoarseness.
Lack of appetite: Using chewing tobacco can cause a loss of taste and smell — which causes loss of appetite, and in turn results in poor nutrition and poor health.
Esophagus Cancer: Esophageal cancer is cancer of the esophagus and usually presents with a difficulty in swallowing or pain when swallowing. It is estimated that 90% of those with cancer of the esophagus have used tobacco products for a long period of time.
Gum Recession: Using chewing tobacco irritates the tissues in the mouth and causes gums to recede and pull away. Once the gums have receded, there is no way to reverse it. The recession of the gums causes teeth sensitivity, pain and further the chances of tooth decay.
Gum Disease: Current smokers are about four times more likely than people who have never smoked to have periodontitis and are more likely to end up losing teeth over their lifespan. Smoking and using chewing tobacco irritates the tissues in the mouth making gum disease and other dental problems. Using tobacco products is the number one reason for gum diseases.
Tooth Decay: Using tobacco chew will expose the teeth and gum tissue to tobacco for long periods of time. The tobacco irritates the tissues, therefore causing the gums to recede and the enamel on the teeth to soften. In turn, the teeth are more exposed and at a higher risk for dental decay which could ultimately result in fillings, cavities, crowns and even possible loss of teeth.
Nicotine Addiction: Modern research shows that nicotine acts on the brain to produce a number of effects. It has been found that the addictive nature of nicotine comes from the feelings of pleasure and euphoria signals in the brain, making the desire for more nicotine extremely strong and addictive. Once the habit of nicotine has been formed, breaking the habit is a very difficult task.
Smokeless Tobacco is a Gateway to Smoking: It has been found that those that start with smokeless tobacco are much higher risk to start smoking than those who have never used tobacco products. Also, most people that use smokeless tobacco will simultaneously use smoking tobacco.
In many younger people, smokeless is a gateway to smoking: Most young adults who start using smokeless tobacco will also start smoking and will often time’s do both in higher quantities and amounts than their adult counterparts, making smokeless tobacco an introduction to what will become a full fledged smoking habit.
Bleeding gums during brushing: In addition to the irritating effect of tobacco on the gums, smokers tend to have more tartar on their teeth than their non-smoker counterparts which can cause gum disease and bleeding when the gum tissue is brushed with a toothbrush.
White Patches in your mouth: People who use chewing tobacco and tobacco related products will often time’s get white patches in their mouth. The tobacco irritates the tissues in the mouth and will cause a condition known as leukoplakia. It is important to have any white patches looked at by a doctor to rule out oral cancer.
Red, swollen, or tender gums: When chewing tobacco is used, it exposes the gums and tissues of the mouth to the tobacco for large amounts of time. This causes irritation and will often time’s make one’s gums become red, swollen or tender.
Gums that have pulled away from the teeth: Tobacco causes the gums to pull away from your teeth and expose tooth roots, making them sensitive to hot and cold. If the gums pull away from the teeth enough, the teeth can get loose and fall out or become more susceptible to gum disease.
Persistent bad breath: Smoking deteriorates the gums over the years, causing a disease called periodontitis, which causes very bad breath. Tobacco products naturally don’t smell great, so when you put it in your mouth and leave it there as you do with chewing tobacco, the result is extremely foul smelling breath.
Nasty Teeth: Using chewing tobacco wreaks havoc on the health of one’s mouth. Irritation, receding gums and gum disease can lead to teeth that are not healthy. Also, tobacco products when used over a long period of time will cause a yellowing of the teeth.
Pus between the teeth and gums: Using chewing tobacco can cause gingivitis, periodontitis and advanced periodontitis. All of these conditions if left untreated can cause pus between the teeth and gums, signaling that there is a severe infection that requires the attention of a dentist as soon as possible.
Sore Throat: Having a sore throat when using tobacco products is caused from the tobacco irritating the lining and mucus membranes of the throat. However, a sore throat can be a symptom of several different types of cancer of the throat region.
Constipation (When you quit): Nicotine is both a natural laxative and a boost to the whole body, speeding everything up beyond normal. Heart rate and digestion responds to nicotine by going into overdrive, so when you quit smoking digestion slows down as well. Constipation should alleviate within a few weeks of quitting chewing tobacco.
Loose or separating teeth: Using chewing tobacco is extremely irritating to the tissues in your mouth, causing a whole host of gum diseases and tooth decay. The decay, if left untreated can ruin the tooth enough that it actually becomes lose or falls out altogether.
A change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite: When using chewing tobacco, the jaw sits in an unnatural position over a combined long period of time. This will ultimately result in a change in the way your teeth sit when you bite.
Face increased risks of tumors of the upper digestive tract: Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers include cancer of the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, and anus as well as cancers of the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and biliary system. Using chewing tobacco significantly increases the risk for all of these cancers.
Peptic Ulcer Disease: Cigarette smoking appears to be a risk factor for the development, maintenance, and recurrence of peptic ulcer disease. Smoking also has other effects on upper gastrointestinal function that could contribute to the development of peptic ulcer disease.
Tooth Abrasion: Users of chewing tobacco will suffer from tooth abrasion from the gritty materials in the tobacco sitting against and rubbing the teeth for long periods of time. This abrasion makes the teeth more susceptible to decay and disease.
Unhealthy Eating Habits: Using tobacco products will curb one’s appetite, but studies have found that individuals who use tobacco will go long periods without eating and then eat foods that are high in fat and low in fiber.
Reduced Sperm Count in Men: Users of chewing tobacco has been shown in studies to have significantly lower sperm and motility rates than that of their non-smoking counterparts. The good news is that the sperm count goes up as soon as the use of tobacco has been stopped.
Women Who Use Chewing Tobacco During Birth: Most women know that smoking while pregnant is not good and will often time’s turn to chewing tobacco to satisfy their craving, but studies are now showing that nicotine released in chewing tobacco is just as harmful and increasing the risk that newborns will have breathing pauses in their sleep.
Premature Birth when used while pregnant: Women who smoke or use chewing tobacco while pregnant are at a much higher risk of delivering their baby pre-term compared to non-smoking pregnant women, resulting in underdeveloped babies that will suffer with a wide variety of health problems over their lifetime.
Low Birth Weight when used while pregnant: Studies have shown that women who smoke or use chewing tobacco while pregnant are at a much higher risk of delivering a low birth weight baby, compared to babies of mother’s who didn’t smoke or use chewing tobacco while pregnant.
Preeclampsia when used while pregnant: Preeclampsia is a condition during pregnancy when there is a sudden, sharp rise in blood pressure, swelling (edema) and albuminuria (excess protein albumin leaks into the urine). Swelling tends to occur in the face, hands and feet. Using tobacco products while pregnant will increase the odds of the mother having preeclampsia.
High Blood Pressure when used while pregnant: Using tobacco related products can increase a mother’s blood pressure, placing stress on the unborn child. High blood pressure while pregnant will also increase health problems for the mother.
Red pouches in your mouth: Red patches in the mouth can be a sign of oral cancer, irritation or other tobacco related issues. Any red patches in one’s mouth will require the attention of a physician as soon as possible.
Fluid Retention when used while pregnant: Smoking or using chewing tobacco will increase the risk for fluid retention while a woman is pregnant, resulting in preeclampsia, high blood pressure and pre-term birth.
Swelling when used while pregnant: Pregnant women who use chewing tobacco while pregnant will suffer from preeclampsia and high blood pressure; causing a large amount of swelling in the face, hands and feet.
Fetal Mortality when used while pregnant: Studies are still inconclusive about the effects of smoking or using chewing tobacco while pregnant, but due to the increased risks of pre-term labor, it is strongly suggested that a mother does not use tobacco products while pregnant.
Fetal Morbidity when used while pregnant: Smoking or using tobacco products while pregnant is yet to be determined with further studies.
Fetal Dependence when used while pregnant: While no studies have shown fetal dependence on smoking, the risks to the fetus still suggest the mother refraining from any tobacco related products while pregnant.
Cravings when you quit: Quitting chewing tobacco can be a very difficult task. To help with cravings, stay busy, drink lots of water, chew gum and get lots of rest. The first three days will be the very worst and then the cravings will lessen.
Inability to Concentrate: It can be very hard to concentrate while quitting nicotine products. Stay busy, active, drink lots of water and know that it will eventually get better.
Insomnia when you quit: About three days into quitting chewing tobacco, you may start to have a hard time sleeping. This is because for the first three days the nicotine is still in your system. As your body gets used to a healthier environment, it may have to relearn a few things. Sleeping is one of them. Try reading a book, taking a bath and a sound machine to help. Within a week you should begin sleeping better.
Fatigue when you quit: Tobacco products are natural stimulants, so when quitting smoking or chewing tobacco it is completely normal to experience a sluggishness or low energy. As your body gets used to being without nicotine, your energy level should come back.
Irritability when you quit: Quitting chewing tobacco can be a very difficult task. Your body was very much addicted to nicotine and will want it back. This will cause times of irritability. Explain to friends, family and co-workers that you are trying to quit and that are the reason for any offensive moods.
Anxiety when you quit: Nicotine has a very calming effect on the body and it will be normal to experience a fair amount of anxiety when trying to stop smoking or chewing tobacco.
Constipation when you quit: Nicotine is a natural stimulant and as your body gets used to being without the effects of nicotine, constipation will occur. This won’t last forever and as your body gets used to a healthier environment, your digestive tract will get back on course.
Depression when you quit: For those people who suffer bouts of depression during the cessation process, the condition is usually mild and temporary. Try to change the way you look at things, speak positively and know that it will get better.
Weight Gain when you quit: Smoking is an appetite suppressant, so naturally when you stop using tobacco products, your appetite will come back also. To combat this, keep a journal of what you have ate and keep healthy snacks around you.
Headaches when you quit: Nicotine creates a chemical dependency, so that the body develops a need for a certain level of nicotine at all times. One of the ways your body will let you know it is craving nicotine is through a headache. This is normal and will subside within a week. Try over the counter pain relief, drink lots of water and know that it will get better within a weeks time.

Resources:

The National Cancer Institute: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/tobacco/smokeless-tobacco
This is a link to the NCA, and a good source for some chewing tobacco statistics.

Mouth Cancer Foundation: http://www.mouthcancerfoundation.org/
Another great rescource for some chewing tobacco and cancer information is the Mouth Cancer Foundation.