gum endurance

[Devereaux]

I really appreciate this board. I'm certain this has come up before, however I wanted to check in with you to see if anyone has had this experience with snusing. I'm relatively new to using snus- about 2 months- but absolutely am hooked! Transitioned over from cigars.

I’ve been moving the pouch around to different locations in my mouth as suggested, but at night I notice that my gums are pretty aggravated and feel calloused. Also, it seems like (my own paranoia probably) that my gums are receding, although they were in a receded condition prior to the snus use anyway. I’m using mostly 6mg oomph. Sorry for the old topic, but has anyone else experienced this and can I expect my gum condition (callouses)to improve over time? Thanks.

[GoVegan]

I also noticed that my gums have been receding. I don't think there is much you can do about it other than to stop using snus which I am not ready to do yet. I do believe that the saltier snus irritates the gums a bit more so you are probably doing the right thing by using Oomph. I just hope that I can stop before I need cadaver gums but using snus is still much better for you than smoking even with the gum issues. The other stuff like sensitivity and calloused gums will go away after you use snus for a while.

[Devereaux]

Thanks very much. I appreciate the info.

[tom502]

I have no concern of mouth cancer, I really don't think it can cause it, but I do have a mental concern about my gums and teeth. So far, it seems OK. I had/have some slight recession before I ever did oral tobacco, and I look at my mouth in the mirror, and haven't seen anything to be alarmed about. Though at times my gums feel off, and my teeth feel like they are gonna fall out. Seems everything you do has some side affect. But I only snus 4 portions a day, and I dip in the evenings and weekends, rinsing my mouth out after each time and brushing before bed. I don't wanna quit, but if my mouth starts to go bad, that's what will make me do it.

[Snusdog]

Re: gum endurance

I really appreciate this board. I'm certain this has come up before, however I wanted to check in with you to see if anyone has had this experience with snusing. I'm relatively new to using snus- about 2 months- but absolutely am hooked! Transitioned over from cigars.

I’ve been moving the pouch around to different locations in my mouth as suggested, but at night I notice that my gums are pretty aggravated and feel calloused. Also, it seems like (my own paranoia probably) that my gums are receding, although they were in a receded condition prior to the snus use anyway. I’m using mostly 6mg oomph. Sorry for the old topic, but has anyone else experienced this and can I expect my gum condition (callouses)to improve over time? Thanks.

Devereaux,

Welcome to the forum.

Remember you are putting a rough cloth containing salt and nicotine up against your gums for an extended period of time. Often this causes some mild irritation. However, your gums should get used to it in time. Just keep moving them around and try brushing with Baking Soda tooth paste (non gel)

Also, it might give you some solace to know that the extensive studies done in Sweden show no increase in gum disease due to snus.

That said, most find los to be less abrasive than portions (that may or may not be an option you want to consider). Also, for what it’s worth, I find V-2 products to be the most abrasive of the los brands (e.g. the Phantom line, Odens, etc..).

One last point that might help put this in perspective. I do not smoke cigars very often but when I do, my lips always feel chapped where the cigar was. My guess is that over time and with more regular use my lips would get used to the cigar and the drying would be less noticeable.

Hope this helps.

Keep us posted.

[sagedil]

Welcome to Snuson Devereaux

Just give it time. My first few months, my gums felt it occasionally, but that just went away with more use. Now 3 years in, I never feel anything, and my gums are largely as they were 3 years ago

[Devereaux]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I do feel better about it now. Out of all the nicotin options I tried, I feel like snus is the healthiest option. Plus I just enjoy it. Seems like I've just had a better attitude toward life in general. I certianly am a lot more productive!

"Just keep moving them around and try brushing with Baking Soda tooth paste (non gel)"

I am going to give the baking soda tooth paste a go.

Take care.

[rkh3]

Curious, why baking soda toothpaste?

[RedMacGregor]

there's a difference between receeding gums (bad) and tightening/toughening gums (good) your dentist will know the difference

[upperlipper]

Been using for 19 years now. A while back I dated a dentist (insert an oral joke here) and suprisingly she was not too fond of my habit. However after examination she agreed that the damage was not that bad. Yes, there were some changes in the surface structure of my gums both in colour and in texture but nothing alarming and not much receding either.

I am not saying all is well and there is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow but so far so good as the carefree youngsters tend to say.

[Christi]

Curious, why baking soda toothpaste?

baking soda will whiten your teeth.

I take my toothbrush and dip it wet into the soda box and brush. Some can't handle that, but I can. Then after I get my teeth really good with that I use toothpaste. I only do the soda 4 times a week becuz it can eat the enamel off your teeth.

My only worry is my teeth falling out. Gingivitis has plagued me since my very first dental visit way back when. If I don't floss daily I can tell. Oral care is very important regardless of using snus. just fyi!

[snusjus]

What type of snus are you using? Snus with a higher nicotine and pH content are worse for the gums. As well, loose snus is more likely to cause gum lesions. The worst snus, even though it's one of my favorites, is General Ekstra Sterk Los.

[Guest]

Snus with a higher nicotine and pH content are worse for the gums. As well, loose snus is more likely to cause gum lesions. The worst snus, even though it's one of my favorites, is General Ekstra Sterk Los.

I haven't come across the conclusion that sterk snus if worse for your gums before. Please could I ask the source of your information? (possibly a medical study or manufacturer information)

[Veganpunk]

Yea, you'll eventually get gums of steel!

[snusjus]

Snus with a higher nicotine and pH content are worse for the gums. As well, loose snus is more likely to cause gum lesions. The worst snus, even though it's one of my favorites, is General Ekstra Sterk Los.

I haven't come across the conclusion that sterk snus if worse for your gums before. Please could I ask the source of your information? (possibly a medical study or manufacturer information)

"The degree of oral mucosal lesion increases both with increasing pH and nicotine content."
http://www.swedishmatch.com/en/Snus-and-health/Harm-reduction/Research-on-snus/Reports-and-papers/Oral-lesions/

This means that snus with a higher pH and nicotine content is more irritating to the gums. However, this does not increase the risk of cancer.