Substance Use

Smokeless Tobacco Risk Screen

India-specific screen for gutka, khaini, paan, and other smokeless tobacco use.

This is an original awareness screen built for this site, not a validated clinical instrument. It is designed for common Indian smokeless tobacco products such as gutka, khaini, paan with tobacco, zarda, mishri and snuff. If you have any mouth warning sign — white patches, sores, difficulty opening your mouth fully, colour change inside the mouth, or persistent bad breath or bleeding gums — please see a dentist or doctor promptly. This screen cannot tell you whether you have cancer or pre-cancer; only an examination can.

  1. Do you use any form of smokeless tobacco (gutka, khaini, paan with tobacco, zarda, mishri, snuff)?
  2. How long have you used smokeless tobacco? (Don't use, <1 year, 1-5 years, 5-10 years, >10 years)
  3. How many times per day? (None, 1-2, 3-5, 6-10, 10+)
  4. Do you use it within 30 minutes of waking?
  5. Any white patches or sores in your mouth?
  6. Difficulty opening your mouth fully?
  7. Any colour change inside your mouth?
  8. Persistent bad breath or bleeding gums?

What your score means

0 — No smokeless tobacco use. You do not currently use any form of smokeless tobacco and reported no mouth warning sign.

1-3 — Lower risk. You use smokeless tobacco, the score is low and no mouth warning sign was reported. Reducing frequency or quitting is still worthwhile.

4-7 — Moderate risk. Your use pattern and duration raise concern, with no mouth warning sign reported. Consider quitting and ask a doctor or dentist for advice.

8 or more, or any mouth warning sign — High risk — see a dentist now. A high score, or any mouth warning sign such as a white patch, sore, colour change, or difficulty opening the mouth, needs prompt professional review.

Frequently asked questions

Can this screen diagnose oral cancer?

No. It cannot tell you whether you have cancer or pre-cancer. Only a dentist or doctor can examine your mouth and decide if further tests are needed.

Which mouth signs should I take seriously?

White patches, sores that do not heal, difficulty opening your mouth fully, colour changes inside the mouth, and persistent bad breath or bleeding gums all deserve prompt dental or medical review.

Are my answers stored?

They stay in your browser unless you sign in and choose to save the result to your account.

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