Dr. Vinod
This past weekend a friend who is 22 years old has been chewing tobacco for approximately 8 years, smoking casually for 4 and drinking for probably about six, was chewing on a piece of beef jerky and one of his back molars just split in half and came out he was in no pain even though the tooth was in half. it was almost crumbling out of his mouth, he said his gums around the area felt numb, there were no lumps or nodules in or around the area. His first thought was that he had mouth cancer. I told him he should go see his dentist and get a full work up but I am concerned for my friend as I have been doing mnore research, could it just be a abcesed tooth or could my friend really have mouth cancer?

Hi angocnrn
Your friend is sure risking mouth cancer. Chewing tobacco since 14, smoking and drinking since 16 ia quite exciting if he likes playing Russian Roulette. Chewing or smoking tobacco is not a healthy thing to do . It has been related to an increased incidence of mouth cancers.

Ask him to read the BBC article on chewing tobacco and mouth cancer and other information in the section PATIENT'S GUIDE > TOBACCO RISKS. The link given there: "Mouth cancer epidemic on the way" about Indian doctors reporting a rise in pre-cancerous lesions in the mouth - which they're convinced are caused by chewing tobacco.

You can order this free booklet for him Spitting into the Wind: The Facts About Dip and Chew It discusses harmful spit tobacco use in a colorful and graphic format. It includes information on addiction, toxic chemicals in tobacco and snuff, medical problems from use, warning signs of oral cancer, and tips to quit.

You can access this online booklet Spit Tobacco: A Guide for Quitting designed specifically for men who have decided to quit using spit tobacco or who are thinking about quitting. It contains information about developing a plan for quitting, as well as information on over-the-counter and prescription medications available to help break the nicotine habit.

Chewing beef jerky can break teeth, so no suprise there! Your friend needs to see his dentist about his teeth and stop the high risk life style.

Best wishes
Vinod

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dr Vinod K Joshi,