Quitting Chewing Tobacco

In order to avoid cancer of the mouth, quitting chewing tobacco should be at the top of your list.

It is just as addictive as cigarettes are, and you’ll pay the consequences in the long run.

The side effects are horrendous, and it’s very scary to think about what could potentially happen if you don’t quit.

What is it exactly?

Chewing tobacco is basically aged tobacco leaves that have added sweeteners to make it taste better.

When the leaves are aged, they ferment, and nicotine is produced, in the same way that alcohol is produced from fermented fruit.

Why?

It has nicotine in it.

Sweeteners are added, like mint, any kind of fruit, honey, licorice, and molasses. There is really no limit to what flavor it can have.

The sweeteners are bonded during the process and then it’s shipped in little tin cans or pouches.

What do you do with it then?

You simply take out a pinch, and place it in the corner of your mouth, between your cheek and gums, or in the front of your mouth, between your bottom teeth and lips.

Then you just hold it there and the nicotine is absorbed through the tissues in your mouth.

The juices that are secreted from the leaves are spit out. The juices do not taste good, and it’s very rare to see a chewer swallow them all day.

They always carry a spittoon, or plastic cup, to spit in.

It’s gross. I’m not attracted to people like that.

Why is quitting so important?

Well, because you might get oral cancer, or even lung cancer, so be aware of these other terrible things that can happen.

Tooth Decay – If you’re an everyday chewer, then you have tobacco constantly sitting on top of your teeth, rotting them away.

Your teeth will definitely change color, if anything, from white to yellowish-brown, so expect that, at least.

You might even experience tooth loss, especially those teeth that are pressed up against the tobacco.

I’ve seen teeth that turn black with constant use.

Gum Disease – After years of continued use, your gums will erode and expose the roots of your teeth, which will lead to tooth decay and loss.

This can’t be good for a sexy, white smile.

Damage to Your Jaw – If you get oral cancer, that could eventually make its way onto your tongue, down your throat, and cause serious problems.

I’ve seen pictures of people who lost their jaw and their entire bottom mouth because they chewed tobacco and they got cancer.

Left untreated, it can spread to your throat and lungs and cause cancer there as well.

Do you want to lose your jaw? Your ability to eat?

Since you can’t smoke on the field, or on the court, they choose this method instead.

You’ve all seen pictures of baseball players getting ready to pitch or hit with a dip in their mouth. You’ve all seen the players in the dugout spitting onto the field.

They are the ones who should be setting an example for the youth of today.

Sadly, they are indirectly promoting it.

By actively partaking in the activity, and not hiding it at all, they are showcasing that it’s OK to do.

Make the right choice and stay away from this gross tobacco product. It’s not attractive at all.