[Lesions of the oral cavity induced by chewing tobacco].

Currently, in France, chewing tobacco has only a small place amongst the factors of tobacco intoxication. The same is not true for North Africa, where it is very widely used, and in the United States, where it is enjoying considerable popularity. The consequences of this type of tobacco intoxication can be severe for the oral cavity: reactional keratosis, gingival retraction, dental coating, periodontitis, risk of malignant degeneration. The public health services must be warned of the dangers of this form of tobacco intoxication.