Adolescent Issues

Tongue Piercing

There are many risks involved with oral piercings including chipped or cracked teeth, blood clots, or blood poisoning. Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. So follow the advice of the American Dental Association and skip the mouth jewelry.

Tobacco

Tobacco in any form can cause irreversible damage. Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teens who believe that it is safer than smoking cigarettes. However, studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. One can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions in as little as a few months.

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