By now, most of us know that smoking cigarettes isn’t healthy: The smoke you inhale contains toxic compounds. They increase your risk of lung cancer. But what about smokeless tobacco? Is that “little pinch” really going to hurt you?

Yes. “Smokeless tobacco is not a safe alternative to smoking,” says David Albert, D.D.S., M.P.H. Dr. Albert is an associate professor of clinical dentistry at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

“Smokeless tobacco greatly increases your risk for cancer of the mouth,” Dr. Albert says. “It causes periodontal disease and cavities. Smokeless tobacco contains abrasives. This means your teeth will wear away faster.” These products also cause stains and bad breath, he says.

In the United States, smokeless tobacco use has declined in recent years. About 3% of adults are estimated to be current users of smokeless tobacco. About 6% of men and fewer than 1% of women use smokeless tobacco. Smokeless tobacco use by high school students is estimated at 8%.

The rate of use by adults varies by state. For example, 18% of men in West Virginia use smokeless tobacco, but only 1% of men in Arizona use it. Rates of smokeless tobacco use by U.S. adults are highest among:

1. Young men
2. American Indians
3. People who live in the South or in rural areas

Overall, about 22 million Americans use smokeless tobacco. It comes in three basic forms: chew, snuff and plug.

Chew, or chewing tobacco, consists of shredded tobacco leaves. Snuff is loose, ground tobacco leaves. A plug is a firm, compressed chunk of ground tobacco leaves. Sugar, salts or flavorings sometimes are added to improve the taste. A new smokeless tobacco product is now being sold in the United States. It is packaged in a small bag that looks like a tea bag. This form of smokeless tobacco is popular in Sweden.

Just like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco contains chemicals. More than two dozen of them are known to cause cancer. But unlike cigarettes, smokeless tobacco is in direct contact with the inside of your mouth. This may make smokeless tobacco even more addictive than cigarettes. That’s because nicotine enters your bloodstream faster. Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco.

Holding smokeless tobacco in your mouth for 30 minutes exposes you to as much nicotine as four cigarettes.

Using smokeless tobacco heavily or for a long time greatly increases your risk of oral cancer. “Oral cancer is a major concern with smokeless tobacco use,” says Dr. Albert. “Treatment of oral cancer can disfigure the mouth and jaws. I advise patients not to use tobacco products in any form.”

As little as one year of use can cause a white patch to develop in your mouth. These patches should be tested. They may contain cancer cells. Don’t wait for symptoms before you visit your doctor: Until it spreads, oral cancer causes no symptoms.

Using smokeless tobacco can cause other problems:

1. Smokeless tobacco is a breeding ground for bacteria. It collects food and other debris, and sits in your mouth for hours at a time. It is also sweetened to improve the flavor. The result? Tooth decay.
2. Using smokeless tobacco has been associated with receding gums and periodontal disease.
3. The area where the tobacco sits can become unusually dry. This increases your risk of tooth decay.
4. Using smokeless tobacco can reduce your senses of taste and smell. It can stain your teeth and cause bad breath.
5. You are more likely to get a coating of bacteria and debris on your tongue if you use smokeless tobacco. An advanced stage of this condition is called black hairy tongue.

Your risk of these conditions will decrease if you practice good oral hygiene habits.

http://www.marilyncalvo.com/ Marilyn Calvo DDS – Accredited Member, AACD.  Dr. Calvo is one of only 300 members in the world to achieve Accreditation status.  Recently, she was honored by being selected as the featured dentist in an ad for Accreditation published in several dental journals.  Dr. Calvo is a well respected Cosmetic Dentist in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas.  Dr. Calvo is passionate about changing lives and increasing self esteem in the patients she has helped serve through her Smile Makeovers. http://www.facebook.com/CalvoFanPage

Source: simplestepsdental.com

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You’ve probably seen the warning on cigarette packages: "Quitting smoking now greatly reduces serious risks to your health." What smoking-related diseases come to mind? Lung cancer, probably. Emphysema, maybe.

But did you know that half of periodontal (gum) disease in smokers is caused by smoking? Chronic (long-term) gum disease can lead to the loss of your teeth.

"Studies have found that tobacco use may be one of the biggest risk factors in the development of periodontal disease," says David A. Albert, D.D.S., M.P.H. Dr. Albert is an associate professor at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.

Periodontal (gum) disease is a bacterial infection. It destroys soft tissue and bone that anchor your teeth to your jawbones. Bacteria grow in the dental plaque that forms in the pockets around your teeth. Your body’s reaction to the plaque leads to the breakdown of soft tissue and bone.

In early stages of the disease, you may notice that your gums bleed when you brush or floss. As the infection worsens, your gums begin to break down. They pull away from your teeth, forming pockets. Later, the pockets between your teeth and gums deepen as more of the supporting structures are destroyed. Ultimately, your teeth may become loose and painful. They may even fall out.

Studies have shown that smokers have more calculus (tartar) than nonsmokers. This may be the result of a decreased flow of saliva. Calculus is the hardened form of plaque.

Smoking tobacco products can make gum disease get worse more quickly. Smokers have more severe bone loss and more deep pockets between their teeth and gums than nonsmokers. In studies, smokers were three to six times more likely to have gum destruction than nonsmokers. Severe bone loss was five times greater among current or former heavy smokers than among people who never smoked.

"Smokers have much less gum bleeding and redness than other people even though their mouths are not healthy," Dr. Albert says. "This can lead to the false impression that the gums are healthy. It is therefore very important that tobacco smokers have regular dental exams to evaluate their gum health."

Not only does smoking increase the chance that you will develop gum disease, it makes treatment much more difficult. And the treatment is less likely to succeed. That’s because smoking hinders healing in your mouth.

One study found that smokers were twice as likely as nonsmokers to lose teeth in the five years after completing periodontal treatment. In most studies of nonsurgical gum treatment (deep scaling), smokers improved less than nonsmokers. Smokers also didn’t respond as well to surgery. Implants are much more likely to fail in people who smoke, because of poor bone healing.

Crowns and bridges look great when first placed in the mouth. In smokers they often lose this beautiful appearance, especially as the gums recede and bone is lost. Popular cosmetic procedures, such as porcelain laminates, will not look good for a long time in a person who smokes.

Researchers still are studying just what smoke does to mouth tissue. It appears to interfere with basic functions that fight disease and promote healing. Researchers have found that smoking affects the way gum tissue responds to all types of treatment.

"It is believed that the chemicals contained in tobacco interfere with the flow of blood to the gums," Dr. Albert says. "This leads to a slowdown in the healing process. It makes the treatment results less predictable and often unfavorable."

It is not just cigarette smoke that contributes to periodontal disease, Dr. Albert says. All tobacco products can affect gum health. This includes pipe tobacco, smokeless tobacco and cigars.

A study conducted at Temple University showed this risk. Researchers reported that 18% of former cigar or pipe smokers had moderate to severe gum disease. "This is three times the amount found in non-smokers," Dr. Albert says. The study was published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2000.

Experts say pipe smokers have rates of tooth loss similar to those of cigarette smokers. Smokeless tobacco can cause the gums to recede. This increases the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold teeth in place.

The only good news about smoking and oral health is that the Surgeon General’s warning holds true. Quitting now does greatly reduce serious risks to your health. A recent study reported that people who had quit smoking 11 years before had about the same rate of periodontal disease as people who never smoked.

Even reducing the amount you smoke seems to help. One study found that people who smoked more than a pack and a half per day were six times more likely to have periodontal disease than nonsmokers. Those who smoked less than a half pack per day had only three times the risk.

"The dental office is a good place to visit for help with quitting," Dr. Albert says. "Your dentist can show you the effect of smoking on your mouth and teeth. She or he can help you set a quit date and provide you with advice on which medicines can help you quit, such as nicotine patches or gum."

Oral Cancer

Tobacco’s greatest threat to your health may be its link to oral cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that:

• About 90% of people with mouth cancer and some types of throat cancer have used tobacco. The risk of developing these cancers increases as people smoke or chew more or for a longer time.
• Smokers are six times more likely than nonsmokers to develop these cancers.
• About 37% of patients who continue to smoke after cancer treatment will develop second cancers of the mouth, throat or larynx. This compares with only 6% of those who stop smoking.
• Tobacco smoke from cigarettes, cigars or pipes can cause cancers anywhere in the mouth or the part of the throat just behind the mouth. It also can cause cancers of the larynx, lungs, esophagus, kidneys, bladder and several other organs. Pipe smoking also can cause cancer in the area of the lips that contacts the pipe stem.
• Smokeless tobacco has been linked to cancers of the cheek, gums and inner surface of the lips. Smokeless tobacco increases the risk of these cancers by nearly 50 times.

Implant Failure

Implants can replace lost teeth in people who smoke. However, smokers should know they have an increased risk that the procedure will fail.

"Studies have consistently found that patients who smoke have more implant failures," Dr. Albert says. Smokers who are considering getting a dental implant need to realize this risk, he says.

"Before getting implants, consider seeking counseling and support to help you quit smoking," he says.

http://www.marilyncalvo.com/ Marilyn Calvo DDS – Accredited Member, AACD.  Dr. Calvo is one of only 300 members in the world to achieve Accreditation status.  Recently, she was honored by being selected as the featured dentist in an ad for Accreditation published in several dental journals.  Dr. Calvo is a well respected Cosmetic Dentist in the Los Angeles and Beverly Hills areas.  Dr. Calvo is passionate about changing lives and increasing self esteem in the patients she has helped serve through her Smile Makeovers. http://www.facebook.com/CalvoFanPage

Source:simplestepsdental.com

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Review of Dr. Marilyn Calvo – General Dentist
Posted On DR.Oogle Dentist Guide

I had 3 cavities filled today along with a full cleaning. I usually dread going to the dentist and worry about it the night before. This was my first time in the chair having real work done by Dr Calvo and all I can say is the experience was just fabulous. She had me in and out of the chair in 1 hour and 15 minutes and with no shots for 3 cavities! and a full cleaning. She is the best dentist I have been to in the last 35+ years and I would highly recommend her.

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Dr. Calvo is amazing at the work she does. As far as I can remember going to the dentist I have always been with Dr. Calvo. She is such a caring dentist. Her motivation for the healthiest and best smile for her paitents is her number 1 priority. I LOVE visitng Dr. Calvo, I come out with a beautiful smile and healthy teeth. I have never had a cavity nor any problems with my teeth, its all because of Dr. Calvo!!!!!

Thanks Dr. Calvo for all your help in guiding me to the correct path in keeping my teeth healthy!!!

Thanks
MBA

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There seems to be a lot of talk about the advantages of at-home teeth whitening systems versus going off and visiting a cosmetic dentist.

Most of the benefits circle around how more cost effective at-home teeth whitening is versus paying for the services of a dental professional. Another supposed benefit is how easy it is to fit the former into your busy schedule, as opposed to being at the mercy of a dentist’s busy schedule, not to mention the minutes or hours you have to spend in dental waiting rooms!

So indeed, why opt for a cosmetic dentist at all?
Let me count the ways.

First of all, you get professional consultation.
A lot of people THINK that an at-home whitening solution is the answer to their teeth problems. Nothing can be further from the truth. In reality, a lot of us don’t really know what’s best for our teeth. There may be a deeper problem that only a dental professional can detect and that no home whitening solution may solve.

Secondly, the teeth whitening process is supervised.
Another issue with at-tome teeth whitening systems is that you’re all on your own! True, these at-home whitening kits come with instructions but anything can happen.

For instance, most kits will give instructions on what is the ‘ideal’ length of time to leave the gel on or how many times you should apply the solution. But what if this does not apply to you? You may end up wasting the materials (if you stop too early) or harm your teeth (if you leave the gel too long).

Remember that the materials used in teeth whitening can be harsh and you can have a serious skin or gum reaction to the whitening gel you apply. It’s not unheard of to actually end up damaging your teeth too even more, so ask yourself if you really want to risk this.

Another potential problem is that if you, for some reason, do not apply the gel properly on your upper and lower teeth, you get uneven colored teeth!

Thirdly, controlled teeth whitening costs.
So you think home kits are cheaper? Think again. Some products are only slightly effective, making you think that continued application will solve your problem of darkened teeth. As such, you end up buying the product over and over again without really achieving your desired results.

If you visit a cosmetic dentist, you get consultation, you get a chance to have all your questions answered, you get supervised procedures, and you can ask for how much the whole procedure will cost. Now isn’t this a much better option in the end?

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