If you use smokeless tobacco one or more of the following things can happen to you:

• Nicotine addiction which can cause increased heart rate and blood pressure as well as constriction of blood vessels.

• Discoloration of your teeth.  Let's face it, yellow teeth are not pretty

• Chronic bad breath.   You know who you are....

• Tooth abrasion.  The grit in smokeless tobacco can scratch away at the surface of your teeth causing loss of your tooth enamel.  This will make your teeth sensitive.

• Gum recession.  Permanent damage to your gums can be caused as well as the supporting bone resulting in sensitivity and tooth loss.

• Reduction in ability to taste and smell

• Oral cancer as well as cancer of the pharynx, larynx and esophagus. 

• According to the American Cancer Society, smokeless tobacco increases the risk of cancers in the cheek, gums and inner surface of the mouth by about 50 times.  An estimated 28,000 plus number of new cases of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancer will be diagnosed this year and over 7,000 of those diagnosed will die as a result of these cancers.

• The National Cancer Institute found that smokeless tobacco contains 28 known cancer causing agents including

• Polonium 210 (nuclear waste)
• N-Nitrosamines
• Formaldehyde (embalming fluid)
• Cadmium (used in car batteries)
• Cyanide (poison)
• Arsenic (poison)
• Benzene (poison)
• Lead (nerve poison)

Now that you know, here are some tips in helping you quit.  Help Quitting