Using any type of tobacco product is dangerous to your health, not just cigarettes and cigars. Smokeless tobacco has become a serious health problem in recent years. Also known as dip, chew, spitting tobacco and snuff, smokeless tobacco is a significant health risk and is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes.

There are many health risks you should be aware of if you use smokeless tobacco:

• It can cause oral cancer.
• Use can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence.
• It can irritate your gum tissue, causing it to recede or pull away from your teeth. Once this gum tissue recedes, the roots of your teeth are exposed, increasing your risk for tooth decay. The roots of your teeth also may become sensitive to hot and cold or other irritants, which means you could experience some discomfort when eating or drinking.
• It can cause periodontal disease and tooth loss.
• It can cause sores, ulcers, blisters, or lesion of the gums, lips or mouth, that do not heal.
• Sugars, often added to enhance the flavor of smokeless tobacco, can increase your risk for tooth decay.

“The most significant risk is for oral cancer - that's the big scare,” said Air Force Col. Gary Martin, director of the TRICARE Management Activity's (TMA) Dental Care Division. “More people have been taking up the chewing habit in recent years,” he said. “As we've pushed not smoking - you can't smoke in your offices and work spaces - people have turned to smokeless tobacco,” he explained. “It's hard to convince a young, healthy adult of the dangers of using smokeless tobacco.”

According to Martin, oral cancer is a disease that takes a tremendous toll on its victims. “The sad thing is the survival rate for oral cancer is very low,” he said. “Surgery to remove the cancer is often disfiguring and your five-year survival rate is poor.” According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, only one-half the number of persons diagnosed with oral cancer are alive five years after the diagnosis.

Despite being a hard habit to break, there is help available for smokeless tobacco users. Most military installations have health and wellness centers staffed by people ready to assist anyone who wants to quit. Help is also as close as the nearest dentist's chair. “If you want to quit but need some help, contact your dentist or primary care manager,” Martin suggested.