We humans are blessed with such a beautiful gift – smile. 

It’s a simple, generous expression that helps us connect, communicate, and show emotion without saying a word.

But, for millions around the world tobacco is stealing that smile. Millions of people lose their lives, or face serious health issues due to tobacco consumption. 

The main cause of this is the lack of awareness, lack of early detection and the physiological changes that go unnoticed, which ultimately leads to life threatening conditions.

The world is facing a complex challenge with tobacco consumption, and it requires urgent and focused attention.

In the following blog, we will see how a use of AI in dentistry with the help of dental scan from scanO AI helps in early detection of disease and is empowering Tobacco-Free Smiles in 2025.

The Harsh Reality of Tobacco Use 

Data from the WHO and U.S. FDA indicates that approximately 1.3 billion individuals globally use tobacco worldwide, with close to 80% of them residing in low- and middle-income countries. 

This makes smoking not just a habit but a global epidemic and a major public health concern. 

Every year, consumption of tobacco takes the lives of more than eight million people, out of which seven million is from direct use and an estimated 1.2 million are non-smokers who die due to exposure to second-hand smoke.

Tobacco takes the lives of over eight million people annually. Among them, more than seven million die due to direct consumption, while approximately 1.2 million non-smokers lose their lives from exposure to second-hand smoke. 

Tobacco and oral health

Tobacco is sneaky. It doesn’t just stain your teeth—it slowly eats away at your gums, your bones, and even your confidence. What starts as a “harmless habit” often ends with tooth loss, painful surgeries, or worse—oral cancer. 

Let’s have a look at what tobacco can do to our health!

Periodontal Disease

Continued smoking and tobacco use can promote growth of bacteria, reduced immune response and increased inflammation. It can also lead to bone loss around teeth making them weak and also prone to gingival diseases like gingivitis and periodontal pocket formation.

Smokers Melanosis

It refers to a condition in which there is increased tissue pigmentation leading to darkening of gums due to tobacco smoke.
And the only solution to reverse this change is quitting smoking.

Nicotinic stomatitis

An oral condition in which the roof of the mouth (hard palate) turns white from pink along with increased area with red centres, which are basically minor salivary glands which get irritated due to heat from tobacco smoke.

Nicotinic stomatitis also leads to increased risk of cancer of tonsils and posterior mouth.

Oral cancer

Oral cancer is the 8^th most common cause of cancer related death all over the world.

Oral squamous cell cancer – Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most prevalent form of oral cancer. Long term exposure to carcinogenic substances and excessive use of tobacco are one among the major causes of this cancer.

Warning signs to look for –

• A persistent sore or ulcer that doesn’t heal
• Lumps or thickening in the cheek or jaw
• Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, or speaking
• Numbness or pain in the mouth
• Loose teeth without a dental cause

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF)- It is a pre-malignant condition, a chronic progressive condition that affects the mouth and sometimes the upper throat, increasing the chance of developing oral cancer.

The conditions result in formation of fibrotic bands in mouth which cause – 

Reduced mouth opening causing difficulty in chewing and swallowing.

Burning sensation on eating spicy food.

Blanching (whitening) of the inner cheeks or lips.

What makes OSMF especially dangerous is that 7–13% of cases may turn cancerous if left undiagnosed.

Early detection with scanO AI

The seriousness of the issue demands for a tool which can aid in early detection of these painful conditions and deadly cancers.

That’s where scanO AI steps in!

Diagnostic tools like scanO air and scanO mobile app can be a game changer in this. With a simple intraoral scan, scanO can:

• Detect early changes such as fibrosis, lesions, or discoloration.
• Measure the degree of mouth opening.
• Compare oral health changes over time.
• Generate easy-to-understand real-time visual reports for patients.
• Help dental professionals track disease progression and treatment response.

Why scanO is Different

 While traditional oral screenings depend heavily on clinical experience, scanO brings    consistency, accuracy, and objectivity through its AI. Here’s what makes it different:

• Real-time screening in 3–5 minutes
• No discomfort or invasive tools
• Continuous learning model, trained on thousands of clinical cases
• AI-generated alerts for high-risk findings
• Seamless integration with patient history and follow-up reminders
• By making screening fast, digital, and visual—scanO turn oral healthcare into a habit.

For Patients: A Wake-Up Call 

Let’s be honest—telling someone “Tobacco is harmful” isn’t always enough. But  showing them a real-time image of their own mouth under attack? That is different.

By using scanO mobile app patients can self-scan and can see their oral condition in real time which will make them realise what tobacco is actually doing to them. 

And it’s not just about fear—it’s about awareness, ownership, and action.

For Dentists: It’s More Than Just a Diagnostic Tool

For dental professionals, scanO is a smart AI backed scanner.
It helps them:

. Intercept damage before it’s too late.
. Show patients exactly what’s happening inside their mouth.
. Build trust by offering evidence-based care.
. Document cases for follow-up and prevention.

In short: scanO makes every check-up smarter and every conversation more impactful.

Tobacco-Free Smiles: A Vision for the Future

scanO’s mission is about changing how people think about oral health—making prevention the norm and creating awareness.

Building a future where:

• Every school has annual oral health screening using scanO
• Every dental clinic uses AI to detect deadly diseases at early stages.
• Every user can get a personalized real time report.
• Dentists can intercept disease early, saving many lives.

This is the future scanO is building in 2025—a world where tobacco-free smiles are a reality, not just a slogan.

Conclusion: The Power of Prevention + Technology

Tobacco may still be a global health challenge, but tools like scanO AI are turning the tide—one early scan, one changed habit, one saved life.

By combining cutting-edge AI with easy accessibility, scanO is empowering individuals and dentists to detect danger beforehand—and take necessary action when it is needed the most.

In 2025, a healthier, tobacco-free generation isn’t just a dream—it’s a digital reality, powered by intelligent tools, community awareness, and the undeniable strength of prevention.