Effects of snus on teeth/gums?

[hittman]

I am trying to read up on information about snus as I just started using it a few days ago and did not find any definite information on the effects of swedish snus on gums and teeth. I had some bone loss from years of smoking and a little less than good dental care but have really turned things around the last couple years. I am a little concerned as to what the snus will do to my teeth and gums over time. If someone has a link or some information on this, it would be much appreciated.

 

[olderthandirt]

From Swedish Match
Oral lesions - Swedish Match

Ontario tobacco Research
http://www.otru.org/pdf/updates/update_june2007.pdf

Yeah, there is associated risk but it seems a minimal consideration, for me at least.

 

[hittman]

Once again, thank you OTD. I will check those out when I get home from work.

 

[TWISTED VICTOR]

Between Stubby, TB and OTD, I'm gettin' a quite an education, too.

 

[hittman]

Like I said before, I have had some dental issues in the past and don't want to make things worse. I am kinda on the ledge with using snus. I have used a couple portions the past few days but don't know if I should continue. I have had really bad cravings the last two mornings and am not sure why. I am beginning to wonder if this is stage two of withdrawal or something.

 

[olderthandirt]

I know about the bone loss and "less than" adequate care hittman.

I honestly haven't looked at the issue with respect to the use of snus beyond articles similar to the ones I linked.

Main reason I'm not concerned is the snus keeps me from smoking. At my age, old, that's enough! Partial dentures lowerdeck, full upper, screw it I'm snusin'

If your young enough to entertain thoughts of quality of life over an appreciable length of time to come and still concerned of possible negative health ramifications of snus, it wouldn't hurt to speak with a dentist I s'pose.

Hopefully someone else will see this and be able to cite a really definitive study.

 

[hittman]

Yeah, OTD I have not really read anything yet that really says for sure. I am 39 and started taking better care and got alot of dental work done starting the beginning of last year. Right now I am in braces. I had a couple teeth pulled when I was younger and over time some of my teeth moved around quite a bit so I decided to get the braces to try to correct things. Of course as I write this, I have a general mini mint in. Like I said, the last two mornings have been hell and I have smoked two cigarettes yesterday and today. This is on top of using two snus portions. I really have to get a handle on this monster.

 

[olderthandirt]

...Of course as I write this, I have a general mini mint in. Like I said, the last two mornings have been hell and I have smoked two cigarettes yesterday and today. This is on top of using two snus portions. I really have to get a handle on this monster.

Yah, the Mini Mints are 4mg portions, may simply not be enough nic and other good alkaloids for the time being.

So that just leaves...

More snus

hehe

 

[hittman]

The mini mints are my favorite out of the three that I ordered. Does general have a higher mg portion that has the same flavor?

 

[olderthandirt]

The mini mints are my favorite out of the three that I ordered. Does general have a higher mg portion that has the same flavor?

Not that I know of.
The Thunder Frosted Mini is similar in taste, a mini portion with 8mg.

 

[hittman]

I tried one of the wintergreen that you suggested and it does not have as much of a mint taste to it as the mini mints and to me has a much stronger tobacco flavor. I don't know if that is because of the larger portion or what but I did not like it as much.

 

[olderthandirt]

You've described the difference between the General Mini Mints and Wintergreen perfectly hittman.

While I like them both, the Wintergreen is such a favorite if mine that I have a standing offer to provide a good home for any wayward Wintergreen portions!

 

[hittman]

I only tried the one but I don't really like it too much. If you would like the rest of the can, pm me your address and I will ship it. Do you like ettan original? I didn't much care for that one either.

 

[olderthandirt]

I only tried the one but I don't really like it too much. If you would like the rest of the can, pm me your address and I will ship it. Do you like ettan original? I didn't much care for that one either.

Something that has held true for me more than a few times hittman. Drop the cans of the Wintergreen and the Ettan in a ziploc baggie, put them in the fridge.

Try them again in a few days, a week. It's surprising how what you may not care for now is really good later on. Holds true for the snuff as well.

If you still don't care for em' after that I'll be more than happy to help ya get rid of em!

Remind me what snus you have used that you do like the flavor of.

 

[Stubby]

Something that has held true for me more than a few times hittman. Drop the cans of the Wintergreen and the Ettan in a ziploc baggie, put them in the fridge.

Try them again in a few days, a week. It's surprising how what you may not care for now is really good later on. Holds true for the snuff as well.

If you still don't care for em' after that I'll be more than happy to help ya get rid of em!

Remind me what snus you have used that you do like the flavor of.

Good advice OTD. With all the new people around that piece of advice slipped through the cracks.

A good general rule of thumb with snus is that if you don't like it, put it in the fridge for a few days and try again. If you still don't like it, back in the fridge for another few days, or even a week and try again. Many snuses that you can't handle at first blush may end up being one of your favorites, or at least able to finish the can.

Now, there has been some snus I can't deal with no matter how much I tried. A few of them big time favorites for some people. I'm not going to name names but the initials are GR, in any number.

 

[whimzkool]

It is the oral health question that has prevented me from supplementing with snus thus far. However, I would be better off than the occasional relapses I have been having. I am also facing the possibility of braces due to bone loss and severe shifting. Fortunately, no gum recession so far. It was pictures like those found in this presentation http://filha-fi-bin.directo.fi/@Bin/7618a11b10cd0b418df62b01e97a3269/1263372815/application/pdf/1626900/Wickholm_Helsinki%202008.pdf that made me decide against the idea... although the percentage is not a dramatic increase over non-users/smokers, with my history, I'd rather not tempt fate. I also have hopes of ditching the nic altogether at some point. I was amazed at the recession of those using no-nic snus. I would guess it is the other ingredients contributing to that.
WMZ

 

[olderthandirt]

Agreed. Those pics are naaaasty!
Interesting find whimz. The few studies I've looked at, 2 I think, don't paint that gloomy a picture.

Of course one of those was put out by manufacturer Swedish Match, suspect at best.

Sooo, no snus unless ya already got dentures!

 

[whimzkool]

The no-nic photos are all the same person, so I shouldn't have said "those" users. I agree OTD, always must consider the source. I did find it an interesting compilation of "facts." As someone who tends to have an addictive personality, I am sure I would like them too much. Currently have all 32 teeth, and hoping to keep it that way if I can help it.
note to self: should any snus fall in my lap, send to OTD

 

[olderthandirt]

...
note to self: should any snus fall in my lap, send to OTD

hehe
thank you!

 

[hittman]

Something that has held true for me more than a few times hittman. Drop the cans of the Wintergreen and the Ettan in a ziploc baggie, put them in the fridge.

Try them again in a few days, a week. It's surprising how what you may not care for now is really good later on. Holds true for the snuff as well.

If you still don't care for em' after that I'll be more than happy to help ya get rid of em!

Remind me what snus you have used that you do like the flavor of.

OTD, I will try that and let you know if I still don't want it. I have only been using snus for less than a week and tried the camel frost initially because it was what was readily available. I then ordered the general mini mints, general wintergreen, and ettan original. I stopped last night at a local tobacco store that is listed as a general distributor but they had no general in stock. The lady there said she would check on it for me and took my number. I picked up a couple small packets of discreet portions to try.