Oral lesions

The tars and heat of tobacco smoke can cause tiny red pimples in the mouth that result from an inflamation of the openings of the salivary glands. Smokers also often develop depressions on the surface of the tongue. Potentially more serious are lesions called leukoplakia, which are about six times more common in smokers than in nonsmokers. Although benign, these white patches in the mouth can become cancerous.