Hello everyone
just thought I would get some opinions from the group. I am 31 years old and I used dip tobacco until recently. I dipped off and on since I was 18 and until recently I hadnt been to the dentist in 10 years.
In November or December my gums starting bothering me. Then it went away and I didnt think anything about it. A few months later I had some dental problems but chose to wait it out. My gums started hurting again and its been fairly steady for a while. I got scared and went to a periodontist.
He said he didnt see anything wrong with them other than gingivitis and I needed a cleaning. HE suggested that I just go to a regular dentist. So I went got an exam and a week later a cleaning. Of course there was alot of work that needed to be done. fillings and such. I voiced my concern to my dentist and he said that he didnt see anything out of the ordinary other than my gums were inflamed. I have noticed that after brushing or rinsing with a mouth wash the discomfort subsides for a while. I've had my dentist look at my gums a few times in the past few weeks and he says he doesnt see anything. He felt around and pressed on them and He says it may be a viral or bacteria infection or something of that nature. He said because it hurts is a sign its not cancer. I was also told that usually the cheek and gum area where the dip is placed is usually what is affected. This is right at my gum line it feels like. And its not the side I usually dipped on.
Now to be honest in the past I have had situations where I assumed the worse. which always ended up being simple small medical conditions that cleared up.
Any ideas???? am I just over reacting to gingivitis?

Hi Robbie

I can't help with your question, but I have read often on this board about 'dipping tobacco'. What does that mean?

I'm sure you will get helpful advice here.

Best wishes from Helen

Hello Robbie, I don't have much for you except to have your gums looked at by a specialist (oral surgeon) and perhaps a biopsy. Don't get worried yet there are plenty of things it could be that aren't cancer. Just don't wait around and do nothing.

Helen, "dipping" or "dip" tobacco is snuff or chewing tobacco. Usually dipped or pinched out of a tin and placed between cheek and lower gum. It delivers a quick and potent dose of nicotine. Some say it is a harder habit to break than smoking. Contrary to common belief it is NOT a safe alternative to smoking.

Robbie,

I am a dentist and in the 35 years that I have been practicing, I have only found one case of oral cancer from dipping. In this case it was located exactly where the tobacco was placed and the area had a very "corrugated" look.

More than likely, your problem is related to the fact that you had not had any regular dental care in 10 years. I would be unlikely that the problem on the other side of your mouth is related to placing tobacco on the opposite side.

If getting your teeth cleaned and improving your homecare, doesn't clear up the discomfort in your gums, then your dentist should be doing something to find out why you are still having a problem. You didn't mention anything about either dentist doing probing to determine if you have pockets in your gums. Was this done?

I would cetainly recommend getting to the cause of your discomfort as a healthy mouth should not hurt. And, I hope you are no longer dipping.

Hope I have been of some help.

Jerry

Robbie,

I agree with much of the advice you've gotten above -- nothing that you mention would suggest cancer, and the pain could well be associated with extensive gum disease that has been left untreated for awhile. However, if a doctor tells you it isn't cancer simply because you are experiencing pain, he doesn't know what he's talking about. Oral cancer can be painless, but it can also be painful (as mine was -- 24 hours a day). I'd recommend that you see an ENT who is accustomed to doing thorough head/neck examinations if the pain doesn't subside with the treatment you're getting.

You mentioned rinsing with mouthwash -- are you using one that contains alcohol? If so, it may be adding more irritation to an already-sensitive area. There are good non-alcoholic mouthwashes (such as Biotene) if you need to find a substitute.

Cathy

I asked the periodontist about gum recession and he said they hadnt receded as much as I may think. there doesnt seem to be any kind of growth or anything. they just say my gums are puffy and irritated. both the dentist and periodontist felt my gums also. Its right up in front so if it was anything serious wouldnt it be obvious to them?

Robbie,
It is impossible for us to diagnose this problem. As Cathy has said it is also in error to suggest that because there is pain it isn't cancer. Just as it is not correct to assume that because you have used tobacco you will get cancer.

The way these things resolve themselves is by a process of elimination. You are younger than the typical oral cancer patient. The fact that you have used tobacco however, means you have an increased risk of oral cancer. The odds that you have oral cancer are still fairly low. The professionals that you have seen are going to continue to let time resolve this, because they are pretty sure what it isn't. Yes you can continue to wait and see what happens. Take Cathy's advice and avoid all irritants. This list of irritants include coffee, soda (especially cola), alcohol and spicy food. Eat live culture yoghert and avoid sweets. If you do that and continue to brush gently several times a day for 2 weeks you should notice improvement. If not, go back to the professionals and get to the bottom of it.

Not to frighten you, it is important to know that cancer cannot be diagnosed by looks alone. It is a change at the cellular level. So the fact that this dosn't "feel" or "look" like cancer is not a conclusive diagnosis. Cancer or pre-cancer can be present with virtually invisable lesions.

Robbie,

I am the dental hygienist in the group. If you gums are sore, it is possible that your homecare is not up to par. Did the hyienist that you saw show you how to use your tooth brush to massage your gums, without toothpaste? That is called dry brushing and it is very effective for treating gingivitis. Have you tried any of the electric toothbrushes, like a Sonicare? If positioned on your gums properly, they treat gingivitis very well too. If your gums look nice and pink, flat against teeth with the stippled appearance of an orange peel, then your gingivitis is cured. If your gums are red, still puffy and bleed AT ALL when you brush or floss (and I know you floss every day), then you still have gingivitis and that is probably why your gums still hurt.

You need to spend at least 5 minutes a day on your teeth and gums to keep them healthy. Put the time in everyday, even if your gums hurt at first, and within two weeks, everything should be healed and you should be having no discomfort. To keep it from hurting again, you have to keep up with the routine.

Good luck, Barb

PS My oral cancer hurt. Please tell your dentist.

From what I have been led to believe an oral cancer screening consist of an dentist looking for abnormalities and feeling for anything that may feel like a growth or tumor. Both the dentist and periodontist sounded certain that that wasnt the problem.
Jerry you said you have been a dentist for 35 years. what could be causing this considering I dipped on the opposite side. And it seems to only hurt right at the gum line and teeth. If it was anything to worry about would I have some sort of visible clue with in the past 6 or 7 months?

Robbie,

You have gotten some good advice so far. If you follow Barb's directions, you should clear up any early problems with your gingiva. Again, if you had probing done and there are no pockets, then it would be gingivitis and it will get better with proper home care. If you see no results in a couple of weeks, then it should be looked at again.