Prevalence and Oral Manifestations of Smokeless Tobacco Use: A Case Series from Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Nicotine addiction is one of the most prevalent forms of addiction, particularly among young people, and its prevalence has increased significantly. High levels of nicotine and carcinogens in smokeless tobacco are among the most important risk factors for developing premalignant lesions and head and neck cancers. Case Presentation: Over a 1-year period, dental examinations were conducted in 4000 patients referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, School of Dentistry, Yazd, Iran. Among these patients, 45 reported a history of smokeless tobacco use; 31 were male and 14 were female. Seventeen patients (11 males and 6 females) aged 24 to 80 years had oral mucosal lesions. Only 6 patients presented with oral lesions as their chief complaint, whereas lesions in 9 patients were identified incidentally. Conclusions: These findings suggest a strong clinical association between smokeless tobacco use, known as SNUS in Iran, and the occurrence of precancerous and malignant lesions.