Tobacco in whatever form is addictive, and quitting is more than challenging. But it is achievable. Deciding to quit chewing tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. Namely, about 28 chemicals are found in chewable tobacco, and unfortunately, they can cause cancer and numerous other health issues.
Apart from the dreaded oral cancer, chewing tobacco can also cause tooth decay and lead to tooth extraction. If you have had a tooth or tooth extraction due to chewing tobacco, you can get dental implants in Skokie, IL, and show off your pearly whites once more.
In the following lines, we’ll give you some tips on how to quit chewing tobacco. Also, we’ll delve into how you can replace missing teeth that had to be extracted due to the decay caused by this unhealthy habit.
Dangers of Chewing Tobacco
Smokeless tobacco is a famous term used to refer to chewable tobacco to make it sound safe. But it is not safe. Many people who chew tobacco do not understand the dangers that come with it. If you thought only smoking could harm your health, you were wrong.
Before quitting chewing tobacco, it is essential to know the health risks it poses:
- It is addictive — Nicotine is highly concentrated on smokeless tobacco than in cigarettes. Nicotine is absorbed directly into the mouth tissues and then into the bloodstream, and finally into the brain. In short, chewing tobacco gives you three times more nicotine than the cigarette you might have smoked.
- A cancer risk — As mentioned, there are more than 28 cancerous chemicals in smokeless tobacco. These chemicals have been found to cause oral cancer, pancreatic cancer, and esophageal cancer. Oral cancer is one of the most challenging cancers to treat, and the surgery required to treat it is often complicated.
- Tooth decay risk — The sugar in smokeless tobacco may cause tooth decay and will eventually require tooth replacement.
- Increases blood pressure — Chewing tobacco may cause a higher heart rate, increase blood pressure, and eventually cause heart problems.
How to Quit
Although quitting to chew tobacco is difficult, it is possible. Find a tangible reason and let it motivate you to stop. Here are a few tips to help you quit dipping.
Pick a Date
Every day is a good day to quit using tobacco in any form. But, try to pick a quiet day you know will be low-stress. For example, you can try to take a break from your work and family.
Try to choose dates that will not influence your daily routine either. Some people choose dates and places where they can take a break and be left alone. Places like retreat centers and rehabs are a great idea.
Also, don’t wait longer. If you feel motivated to stop now, choose a date a week or two in advance. Then, on your quit date — quit!
Avoid Triggers
The most obvious triggers are most likely the places where you are used to chewing tobacco. Such places include bars and parties, cafés you enjoy sipping tea in, etc. The best way is to identify your trigger situations and make a plan to avoid them.
Keep Yourself Busy
Start your day with a workout, a run, or a walk. Anaerobic exercises will boost your energy and stamina. You will also keep your mind busy from possible triggers.
Use the Delay Method
If you feel like chewing on tobacco, you should tell yourself to wait ten more minutes before doing so. During that time, try to distract yourself by doing something else or going to a public place. This is an excellent tip when you want to quit dipping.
Try the Nicotine Withdrawal Therapy
After chewing tobacco for a long time, you might suffer from nicotine addiction. The best way to deal with this is nicotine withdrawal therapy. The therapy involves chewing on nicotine gum, nicotine patches, or the best 10mg nic salts online. This therapy will help you deal with the withdrawal symptoms of lack of nicotine which will help you in quitting chewing tobacco.
How Chewing Tobacco Negatively Impacts Teeth
As we mentioned, chewing tobacco will eventually affect your teeth. For instance, you may have stained teeth, bad breath, receding gums, and tooth decay, leading to tooth loss and teeth replacement. If chewing tobacco has resulted in the loss of teeth for you, you can fix it with dental implants.
Truth About Dental Implants
Before we delve into the truth about dental implants, you need to know what they are. In simple terms, dental implants are replacement dental roots that serve as a foundation for replacement teeth. The success rates of dental implants may vary depending on where they are installed. But, with good care, teeth implants can last a lifetime, which is why they are usually worth it
Dental Implants for Bone Loss
Bone loss around the roots of your teeth is only one of the long-term adverse effects of chewing tobacco. Fortunately, you can usually opt for a dental implant if that happens. However, sometimes (but rarely), you will find that severe bone loss will lead to bone grafting procedures.
A dentist can efficiently conduct a dental implant without the lengthy bone grafting processes. Luckily, a dental implant process is not as painful as many have attested. The dental surgeon will administer local anaesthesia before carrying out the process. Many people who have gone through it consider tooth extraction to be more painful.
The process of healing takes around four to six months. However, it may take longer if you keep using tobacco. If you have already quit it, let your dentist know before starting the dental implant process.
An implant dentist will look at several factors before confirming that you are eligible for a dental implant. Such factors include the cause for your bone loss, how many teeth are affected, the area on the jaw, etc. Also, the doctor will check for receding gums. Namely, most tobacco chewers will experience receding gums at some point, which might affect their tooth implant.