Good oral health tips: please post

[sasquatch]

I use an electric toothbrush to help get the pieces of loose snus from between my teeth at night. I'm thinking of purchasing a waterpik too. Can't be too careful and safe. I also use Listerine mouthwash. I dont particularly like the burn, but I think it probably has some oral benefit for good "snus hygiene".
Here in America there is such a stigma that comes with smokeless tobacco of any kind that the media really ramps up reports of oral cancer, regardless of European studies that show mo significant danger.
However, I always wonder what real risk there is to my long term oral health while snusing.
I smoked for several years, and I quit a year ago using snus. I can easily see myself using snus for several more years because I enjoy it so much. It's like a fun hobby!
But now and then I think of potential gum damage, so I want to do anything I can to protect against damaging effects.

If anyone has any good tips for good oral health (other that what'smentioned already), please post.

[chainsnuser]

The stigma is simply not true.

I wonder, why in smokers' forums, you'll find several threads about lung cancer, but not a single thread about oral health.

Fact is, that the acrid slime one gets in the mouth from smoking is far more hazardous to the gums and teeth than the salty juice one gets from snus, which is nothing else but a salted vegetable.

I wouldn't say that it is healthy to have a salted vegatable on the gums all day, but it's far better than to have the mouth filled with poisonous smoke all day.

Given this, I must confess that the propaganda is not much better in Europe and I also had the same concerns when I switched from cigarettes to snus. But the concerns turned out to be baseless.

I'm not a dentist, so take it for what it's worth. I can only tell you, that when I told my dentist that I have switched from cigarettes to snus, he said to me that I have made the right decision.

Nevertheless, you should keep an eye on your gums and teeth. I was lucky to get no problems at all from snusing, but people are different.

I brush my teeth three times a day with a normal toothbrush and use a dental floss before.

Cheers!

[reshumate]

I would definitely imagine loose snus being slightly more of an issue, especially if you are lazy about cleaning it out thoroughly. Flossing would be key.

Any long term snusers here report any changes to teeth/gums?

BTW Sasquatch, great avatar. Die hard myself since 1983.

[RPatrick]

My number one tip is to brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day with a soft brush in a light, circular motion. Using a brush with medium or firm bristles and / or sawing hard on your gumline is a sure fire way to make your gums receed. Gums are delicate and can be "chased away" by brushing too hard.

The use of antiseptic mouthwashes or hydrogen peroxide is a controversial issue. Everyone has a normal population of bacteria in their mouth that helps maintain balance. Killing off your normal flora with chemicals can open the door to yeast overgrowth and possibly other problems. I would only use sanitizing mouthwashes if there is an actual problem that you are treating. I would not use it as prevention because it may do more harm than good. Normal brushing and flossing and dental cleanings are all that is needed.

[Xobeloot]

I bought one of those "Sonicare" toothbrushes by Oral-B about a week ago. First electric brush I have ever owned. I am astounded at how much better my teeth look with the new brush compared to the old non-electric.

Daily flossing to remove any snus particulate from between my teeth, and listerine 2x a day have always been part of my routine.

Other than my upper lip feeling a bit more "baggy", I havent noticed any permanant discoloration of my teeth. The do get good and brown after a day at work with no toothbrush, but a quick scrub and they are pearly-white again in no time.

[Snusophile]

I brush three times daily with a very good fluoride free toothpaste from JASON Organics called Powersmile. It contains tons of ingredients that are very good for your gums. I precede that with my WaterPik and finish with a good swishing of Toms of Maine Natural peppermint mouthwash. It's alcohol free, and very soothing to the gums. I would not recommend using any mouthwash containing alcohol as it can and will destroy healthy gum tissue cells and may actually lead to mouth cancer over time.

[bondzai]

maybe try dental snuff?

http://www.marscigars.com/index.asp?...PROD&ProdID=11

[Grim]

Only thing i have noticed is my gums start to receed from repeated use. Much like they did with american snuff. I assume this is natural because i have never placed tobacco in my upper lip so i guess its just a part of snussing that disapates in time.

[victoryredchevy]

I need some advice. I have leukoplakia ridges on each side of my mouth. They run horizontally down the inside of the cheek. I know this is normal when you use tobacco, but I still don't think it's healthy. I'd love to do something to get completely rid of them, if possible. I am a full time snuser. I used to dip and it was really bad then. They're not painful or alarming to me in any way, I'd just really like to know if there's some some type of liquid or mouthwash I can use that is good for this type of thing. Help, please?

[Grim]

Actually Listerine and other mouth washes with alcohol DO NOT destroy gum tissue. My mother is a dental hygentist and on my visit today to go see her i asked the oral surgeon there about the post above by the guy who said alcohol mouth washes kill gum tissue.

He said not at all. However dipping/snusing kills gum tissue and you should switch sides often to avoid any severe gum problems.

Also, poor dental hygiene will lead to gingivitis and other complications so if you use oral tobacco make sure you take care of your mouth by brushing,flossing, and using an oral antiseptic at least twice a day.

[DraculaViktor]

VictoryChevy, I would suggest Glyoxide. Should be able to find it at Rite-Aid, Target, Wal-Mart or CVS. I use that whenever I get a canker sore or just as a couple times a week kind of wash. Also, those ridges you speak of being leukoplakia, could they be just cheek bites? Sometimes I get those from grinding my teeth at night or from tensing my jaw most of the time. I inadvertently grind the inside of my cheeks and white ridge or ridges appear and then go away. I am no doctor, of course, but could you describe more in detail so that I can maybe assure myself that what I have are in fact cheek bites and not leukoplakia. Thanks, and take care.

[scythespawn]

the best mouthwash to use is called jason's healthy mouthwash. it's all natural and alcohol free. it has done worlds for the health of my mouth. i HIGHLY suggest you should use it.(not to mention it completely gets rid of cancer sores/gum damage.)

[scythespawn]

(not to mention it completely gets rid of cancer sores/gum damage.

[victoryredchevy]

VictoryChevy, I would suggest Glyoxide. Should be able to find it at Rite-Aid, Target, Wal-Mart or CVS. I use that whenever I get a canker sore or just as a couple times a week kind of wash. Also, those ridges you speak of being leukoplakia, could they be just cheek bites? Sometimes I get those from grinding my teeth at night or from tensing my jaw most of the time. I inadvertently grind the inside of my cheeks and white ridge or ridges appear and then go away. I am no doctor, of course, but could you describe more in detail so that I can maybe assure myself that what I have are in fact cheek bites and not leukoplakia. Thanks, and take care.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll go see if I can find it at the Walmart down the road. The ridges I have are white and really aren't painful. Yes, they might possibly be inadvertant bites. They are even with the space between my upper and lower teeth, so you could be right. I never thought of that. Its weird, but it seems if I eat something sugary like a piece of hard candy or chew a piece of sugar free gum that contains xylitol, the ridges start to wear away. Strange. Sometimes the ridges are really noticeable and sometimes they're not. I know it's irritation from something, but I can't figure out if it from snus or biting. We'll see. I'll give the stuff a try.

[DraculaViktor]

VictoryChev, let me know how it goes with the Glyoxide. My 'cheek bites' are also in line with the upper and lower teeth meeting point, but mine seem to be further in the back. I would assume that leukoplakia, if caused from let's say Snus, would be present in the general area of snusing. If leukoplakia was to appear on the sides of the mouth, that could be from someone using chewing tobacco excessively, or constantly swishing tobacco juice in the mouth possibly. I have always had those cheek bite ridges off and on throughout my life, way before I started dipping or snusing. I never considered them leukoplakia. Ive gone in to get work done recently, and the dentist didn't see anything in my mouth of concern whatsoever. He probably knows that they are common, and can form when one bites or grinds on them intentionally or unintentionally. Take care man.