Smoking and the oral cavity

Question 1

Discuss the effects of smokeless (chew) tobacco on the oral cavity

Answer 1

• Comes in pouches that are placed in the sulcus or cheek, where it is left to sit in the mouth.
• Chewing and sucking allows the nicotine to be absorbed into the bloodstream through the tissues in the mouth
• Results in an increased inflammatory response in the tissues
Increased inflammatory responses= accelerated breakdown of the periodontium and gingival recession at the site of placement

Question 2

State the general causes of smoking related lesions such as smokers melanosis and nicotine stomatitis

Answer 2

• Irritants such as toxic compounds found in the smoke
• Xerostomia due to high temperatures of inhaling smoke
• pH change
• Impaired hosts ability to manage viral and fungal infections