Snus and gums: What helps against gingivitis and receding gums

The consumption of Snus can have a negative effect on oral health under certain circumstances. In most cases, the gums and dental health in particular suffer as a result. What measures can be taken to counteract such negative effects and why adequate oral hygiene is particularly important for all those who consume Snus regularly, you can find out in this article.

Snus can promote gum damage - which measures help

Irritation of the oral mucosa and gum recession are common undesirable side effects caused by excessive and uncontrolled consumption of Snus can be encouraged. The extent of gum recession depends on a number of factors. First and foremost, the amount consumed is crucial, but there are also many other risk factors to consider - such as inadequate oral hygiene, an unhealthy diet, etc.

If you stick to the following eight measures, you can curb such undesirable side effects.

1. Regular and thorough oral hygiene

What sounds like a truism is actually one of the most effective protective measures for gums and teeth: proper oral hygiene. This should be done daily and include at least the following points:

• Brushing your teeth: You should brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day to remove plaque and bacteria. It is important to ensure that you do not apply excessive pressure to the toothbrush - as this can actually promote gum recession. One sign that you have overdone it is bleeding gums. In this case, less is more!
• Dental floss: Daily use of dental floss is an important part of thorough oral hygiene. It removes food debris from between the teeth - precisely where cleaning with a toothbrush does not reach - and prevents plaque build-up.

2. Use of mouthwash

Bacteria in the mouth are one of the main reasons why gum inflammation or periodontitis can occur. An antibacterial mouthwash can help to reduce the bacterial load and keep the gums healthy.

Common products from the supermarket can be used here - those that are not alcohol-based are recommended. This is simply because alcohol encourages the mouth to dry out by inhibiting saliva production, which in turn can have a negative effect on oral health.

Mouthwashes with chlorhexidine are recommended for acute inflammation. This ingredient has a particularly high antiseptic and bactericidal effect and is also recommended by specialists for post-treatment of dental or oral surgery, for example.

3. Regular visits to the dentist and a professional teeth cleaning

You should go to the dentist regularly anyway. This is because they can recognize the signs of serious oral diseases at an early stage and take appropriate professional countermeasures.

Professional oral hygiene/tooth cleaning by dental staff as a check-up is recommended once or twice a year. This is a simple way of preventing any dental (gum) problems.

4. Hydration

As already mentioned with the use of mouthwashes, dry mouth can have negative effects and promote tooth decay and gum problems. You should therefore make sure you drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist.

Rinsing your mouth after eating also helps to remove food debris - which in turn promotes plaque formation and is considered a breeding ground for bacteria.

Especially after consuming snus, rinsing with water is also recommended, as this removes the nicotine-enriched saliva - in the case of tobacco-containing products, carcinogenic tobacco-specific nitrosamines are even added. This prevents excessive amounts of nicotine from being swallowed, which is much easier on the stomach.

5. Avoid additional smoking if you consume Snus

Smoking is not only unhealthy for the lungs, but can also lead to serious gum problems. Among other things, the tar, ammonia and nicotine contained in tobacco smoke are deposited on the teeth.

The combination with the consumption of lozenges significantly increases the risk of dental problems. Therefore, avoid smoking in combination with the consumption of lozenges.

6. Change the position of the Snus

Irritation of the oral mucosa and gums increases the more often a pouch is used in the same place under the upper lip. It is therefore also recommended to change of position. We strongly advise against placing them under the train. This can irritate the salivary glands and have a negative effect on saliva production.

7. Avoid products containing sugar

Excessive sugar consumption leads to a substantial change in the oral flora and promotes the growth of those bacterial strains that are not only significantly involved in caries formation, but also promote gingivitis and periodontitis. So if you want to counteract such negative effects, you should limit your sugar consumption.

8. Healthy diet

A major trigger for gum problems and periodontitis is the bacteria in the oral cavity. Some of the measures against gum problems mentioned so far are aimed at the targeted decimation of these bacteria. If they are not removed properly, for example due to inadequate oral hygiene, they can trigger inflammation of the dental apparatus.

The immune system also plays a decisive role in keeping such bacteria in check and in the course of gum inflammation. As long as the body's own defenses can keep the bacterial load low, they have little negative impact on oral health. A balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals supports the immune system and can therefore maintain general oral health.

Oral hygiene is important for Snus-consumption is particularly important

One of the main reasons why smoking tobacco can have a negative impact on oral health is the nicotine it contains and its immunosuppressive - i.e. immune system-inhibiting - effect. The effect of nicotine associated with actual immunosuppression is complex, multifactorial and characterized by reciprocity - but the so-called HHN axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), also known as the stress axis, plays a key role in this.

Even if the dose makes the poison, it cannot be denied that the (excessive) consumption of nicotine weakens the immune system - regardless of the form. The same applies to snus consumption: a possible immunosuppression must be actively counteracted with the measures already mentioned and dental hygiene is even more crucial for oral health.

* Nicotine interferes with this to the extent that it promotes the release of CRH, ACTH and finally cortisol. The latter in particular has been shown to inhibit the number of active T-cells and so-called eosinophils, which are essential for a functioning immune defense. Vgl. hierzu auch: https://ediss.uni-goettingen.de/handle/11858/00-1735-0000-0018-00A8-C?locale-attribute=de