A member asked:

I chew tobacco and smoke. my buccal mucosa looks black.is there anything wrong. what do i have to do to correct it?

3 doctors weighed in across 3 answers
Dr. Steven Koos answered

Specializes in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Please quit: And also go see a dentist, oral surgeon, or ENT to evaluate your soft tissue, do an oral cancer screening and deem whether a biopsy is needed. Oral cancer can present itself with many appearances and early detection is key to reducing morbidity and mortality.

Answered 6/10/2014

5k views

Thank

Go to a dentist: Find a dentist in your area that can perform a oral evaluation and a oral cancer screening. When you say " i will smoke" it sets a tone that you are committed to smoking. You are only 21, so it is much easier now to quit. If you cannot quit on your own will power there are several options available to help you. You can quit smoking and chewing tobacco.

Answered 6/28/2013

5k views

Thank
Dr. Gary Sandler answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Risks: Honestly, i would care more about leading a healthy life and not dying of cancer. I have personally seen an autopsy of a young person who was a heavy smoker. It looked like someone sprinkled charcoal briquettes throughout their pink lung tissues. What you cannot see is even worse than what you are aware of. Stop smoking\chewing tobacco and get an oral cancer screening!

Answered 12/10/2013

5k views

Thank

Related Questions