question to those who have snus'd for awhile

[deebocools]

the recession is on and around my top 2 incisors, so I've switched to lower lipping(right in the middle) permantently. I haven't seen recession there yet, but it stands to reason it will happen. maybe it won't, but I'll see.

[Gowrie]

I feel for you Bob.
You may not get enough nicotine with pipe smoking unless you inhale, and then you may as well be using cigs. And who knows what effects those e-cigs and gum have.
Like lxskllr says, better your gums than your lungs.

Skip the dentist and go straight to an oral surgeon. They've seen far worse. I don't think dentists are trained in empathy anyway.

[sychodelix]

The e-cigs don't have really any bad side effects from what I've heard (unless you OD on nicotine of course), and they do have pipe and cigar ones as well.

As pipe smoking not giving enough nictotine without inhaling, I don't know, but I do know that a good cigar gives you truckloads of nicotine whether you inhale or not.

[sagedil]

For whatever it is worth, I am coming up on 2 years with snus. I have had NO mouth issues or issues of any kind. Perhaps maybe it isn't the best for my bouts of insomnia, but other then that....nothing.

[holnrew]

How about lower lipping, or sticking the portion in your cheek?

I'm not sure that would help much. Maybe give you more areas to move it to... It'll still be in contact with your gums just about any place in your mouth.

Well the recession would be in areas people don't see, and would be less aggressive if the snus' position is changed around a lot, it would be spread over a larger area.

[bakerbarber]

Don't worry.

When the new administration is sworn in they'll find a way to end the recession.

Wah wah WAHHH. Rim-shot!!

Seriously though I noticed some "longer" teeth myself, I feel it's due more to hyperactive brushing where I snus to combat brown teeth. I also habitually use hard bristle toothbrushes. I know I brush harder since snusing. In my mind the snus and brushing combined to recede my gums.

[sychodelix]

Bad boy. I learned the hard way never to use anything but soft bristles unless a dentist tells you otherwise.

What's really great is when you have a soft bristled electric toothbrush. They clean teeth well and you can really stimulate your gums with them.

[sth]

Gum recession is a concern of mine. The cosmetic effects of snus do worry me quite a bit, but its a toss up for me. I hate how cigs **** up my sinus' so, but being vain makes me worry about the gum recession from snus. I'll just keep tabs on it I suppose.

Is gum recession reversable?

[bakerbarber]

No, I don't think it's reversible. Not without elective surgery. I'm not a dentist though.

I'd say overall my oral health has improved since snusing. I pay more attention to flossing and brushing now. Much more than I did before I picked up this wonderful "habit."

[darkwing]

After 18 months of steady snusing I do not seem to have any more recession than before, and what I have is due, I am sure, to heavy brushing with poor technique.

[spirit72]

P.S. I was a hard brusher, using a tooth brush with hard bristles. No longer. Nice soft brushing now.

Hiya Bob,

See if that soft bristle toothbrush doesn't so the trick. Also, have you tried cutting everything but snus for awhile, just to see what happens?

Funny story: I went to the dentist in December for the first time in 20 years. On the New Patient form, where it asks for the date of the last visit, I just wrote "A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy Far, Far Away". The dentist says, "So how long ago, really?". I say "20 Years, at least".

For the first time in my life, I'd managed to leave a medical professional speechless. The look on his face was truly priceless, but I didn't think to grab my cell fast enough to snap a pic.

So he does the initial exam and x-rays and all, and he says, "You know, I really shouldn't be encouraging you, but outside of a few cavities and a bit of recession here and there, you really have pretty good teeth".

Had to have both wisdom teeth out, and still have to have them all scaled and planed from 15 years of smoking, but ok.

Anyway, I'm in the same boat you are. I started snus for harm reduction, and I don't think it's made my teeth or gums any worse, but I know it could potentially.

What I reasoned my way down to in the end was this: If worse truly comes to worse, I can get dentures. But I can't get a lung transplant.

[ponysoprano]

I've been 100% smoke free and using at least half a can of portions a day, and usually a bit of lös at night for nearly 8 months. During my first few weeks of regular Swedish use, I had some very minor gum irritation. It only lasted a short period of time and I've not had any negative health symptoms that could be attributed to snus.

8)