Tobacco - No remedy for toothache

It might seem perplexing to many - but a sizeable section of the population has taken on to tobacco to solve tooth-related problems! 


According to a large controlled prospective intervention trial for primary prevention of oral cancer in Ernakulam district, showed that 48 per cent of users reported tooth-related problem as an initiating factor for tobacco use. This was followed by 38 per cent who got hooked on through peer influence. 


The intervention cohort, at baseline, in Ernakulam District consisted of 12,212 tobacco users 15 years of age and older in the intervention group and there were 6,075 subjects in a non-concurrent control cohort. Both cohorts were interviewed about their tobacco use by trained investigators, and subjects were examined for the presence of oral lesions by dentists and subjected to 10 annual follow up examinations.


Tobacco has damaging tobacco compounds that cause oral cancer. Irritation from exposure to tobacco juices can tissue changes, and thereby increase the risk of developing oral cancers. 

Oral cancer can form in any part of the mouth or throat. Some of the symptoms of oral cancer include white or red patches in the mouth, a mouth sore that won't heal, bleeding in the mouth, loose teeth, problems or pain with swallowing, lump in the neck and earache. Experts say that oral cancer can be life-threatening, if not diagnosed and treated early.


It is a myth that tobacco use can cure toothache, rather tobacco use leads to toothache and also can cause the very painful oral cancer.


Image courtesy - Cancer Council Victoria