So yesterday I'm working online and I get a page from my dentist that I was late for my appointment. I was totally confused because I had written down the date of the appointment for this coming monday. So I began to panic a bit because I had woke up with a Thunder FES, then had a General ES, and when I got the page I had a portion of Claq Qui in for about 20 minutes. It was after 4pm so I figured I would call and just reschedule and straighten out the confusion. Certainly I could not go in after Snussing all day, I thought to myself. So I call and they say to me "Come in now." I had two chips in my molars I really have been waiting a few months to get fixed so I jumped up and got ready.

Now I take very good care of my teeth but I had planned on the day I go see the dentist to maybe have 1 portion in the morning a E. Sterk and then go to my afternoon appt. So I brushed my teeth with Biotene and Biotene Mouthwash as well(no I don't work for them/their products have protected my teeth gently but efficiently through years of cigar use/it's a commonly used product on smoking forums) ...this stuff(Biotene Products) are a godsend. Jumped in the car in the pooring rain and flew 80mph about 15 miles to my dentist.]
I chewed a piece of sugarless Xylitol sweetened gum on the way there as I had no time to floss or pick.

So I get there she does a cleaning and polishing and she says to me "I can tell you've been really taking care of your teeth very little plaque buildup." Very light staining on my two front teeth which came off with polish. My lip was a little wrinkled but she did not notice. She knows I use tobacco in various forms, and she's educated on Snus, and she did an Oral Cancer exam which takes one minute. All was good, optimum dental health.
I suggest anyone that when you go to your dentist, even though you may not want to, ask your Dentist to do an Oral Cancer Check...It's done by sight and the dentist grabs onto your toungue and stretches it out and looks all around your mouth. It's the easiest exam to take because as I said it's done by sight no tests or X-rays, takes 30 seconds. Knowledge is power!

Most of you know this but for those who do not this can help to lower your risks of any oral cancers or gum disease even though Oral Cancer is not indicated in snus use. It is true however that dental health is closely correlated to heart health...It's a big deal and never too late to take care of your teeth.

So anyone out there who's scared of the dentist it's never too late to start taking care of your teeth that is if you still have them ....take care of dental problems ASAP(see your dentist every 6 months if possible and wait no longer than every year to have a thorough dental cleaning)brush, floss, and dental pick between teeth everyday. Your teeth may bleed for two weeks and it may take a few trips to the dentist to get all cavities. But do not be afraid of the dentist...be honest if they ask if you use tobacco tell them. The worst they will say is, you should stop and it will end there. Boo! No need to be embarrassed of your teeth if you've let them go for long. Dentists have seen it all and are happy to see a patient who decides too change their ways and make Dental health a part of their daily regimen. Keep at it. If you stray a few days start again.

Use non-abrasives or non-mouth irritants as much as possible...like Biotene products which contain no Sodium Lauryl Sulfate which is in most toothepastes as it is a mouth irratant causing gum irrritation and canker sores. Tobacco and the salt in snus can make your teeth sensitive and occassionally cause sores or lesions which go away in 1-3 days. Biotene also has Xylitol and enzymes to stimulate enzyme production(Saliva) in the mouth and reduces bacteria growth and plaque as it is a safe sweetner. After you brush and rinse mouth out with water, use Biotene mouthwash and do not rinse with water. Spit out any of the Biotene MW that you can and do not rinse with water...go to bed or about your day with BMW still on your teeth and mouth...it will help to speed up healing and will continue to kill bacteria while you sleep.

Stay away from Baking soda which erodes enamel on your teeth, contrary to popular belief that BS does not. It's ok to use Baking soda in a pinch but over time damages and scratches your teeth(you cannot even see it, but your teeth become more sensitive after long term use because less enamel means exposure of the dentin and nerve to hot and cold and chewing interaction).

Don't brush up and down as we were always taught in the past it causes gum recession. Just lightly back and forth from left to right and brush bristles downward or upward on the top of the teeth on the roof and floor of your mouth.

Use a medium brush and gently brush, don't "mine" your teeth you will damage your gums. Brush your gums, toungue, and upper and lower palate area gently, just passing the brush over the area without pressure.

Chew Xylitol sweetened gum after meals in between snussing or after eating or drinking sugary drinks as it will not only aid in digestion but it will clean your teeth and stimulate salival enzymes and kill bacteria without alcohol. Stay away from any products that contain alcohol. Alcohol in mouthwashes (not beer ) is a mouth irritant although it destroys bacteria it's too heavy for
the mouth and smoking and using alcohol concominantly is a risk for oral cancer. Some people can use alcohol mouthwashes without any problem but if you get irritated use an alcohol free product for a few days like biotene.
Biotene is also great if you get "toungue bite" from smoking.

Another popular myth my Dentist told me, is that Diet Soda damages your teeth and Aspartame is dangerous. People will argue over the safety of sweetners all day long...I have talked to many scientists and nutritionists about(As it is where I have a degree) this and it is false. It is another myth...Diet Soda contains Phosphoric, Carbonic, and Citric acids depending on the brand and sweetened with Aspartame...now I'm not arguing the fact that some peopele are sensitive to artificial sweetners...but if your snussing your probably already using Artificial Sweetners on occassion and it does not bother most people and the Cancer hysteria over sweetners is just poor science as is the myths we get fed about the danger of snus. My dentist who is the Sh!t tells me that Diet soda will not damage your teeth unless you swoosh it in your mouth. The acids in diet soda do not stay on the teeth for long enough to harm teeth. Unless again you swoosh diet soda to clean your palate it is safe. Sugary sodas, drinks, food, and American SNUS cause massive harm to teeth but if you use them as everyone does at some point to reduce plaque buildup, after you finish chew a piece of Xylitol gum which will remove the built up sugars on the teeth.

These are all just suggestions for better oral health and will allow you to have a better experience with Snus and less irritation. The more you follow these tips the stronger your teeth and gums will be, and can be done while using snus. Therefore less irritation from snus and smoking. We're all not perfect and I reiterate it's never to late to start and if you stray a few days don't be hard on yourself start again and again till it becomes habit. Most of us here know these things I have pointed out but I hear a lot of people with minor dental complaints and these tips will help to erradicate any discomfort.

It's very strange but many Dentists do not know these tips but I have a very logical, rational, and itelligent Hygenist, One who gives me the Ok for the occassional Cigar or Pipe and regular snussing(Same for my Primary Care Physician)...as you know this is rare. She uses the same logic we all use in referring to scientific data for the promotion and use of Snus and she is a Medical Doctor as well. She understands risk/benefit ratio quite well.

Good Luck and Happy Snussing!

VC

Great post VC!

Thanks Bro!


VC

also VC, i was thinking the other day. people that do snus would have a much lower risk of bacterial disorders such as gingivitis, because the bacteria couldn't survive in a salt and acidic environment that tobacco snus provides
just a thought.

VC,
Amazing post my friend! I got a pen and paper out and made myself a list just now while I was reading your post. I've neglected my teeth a little bit, and I wanted to help take better care of them as well as whiten them a bit.

I'll check out that biotene product for sure. Thanks again for all the info.

I'm going to follow the tips you gave us, and try out some of those products.

Another big THANK YOU. I've been looking for something like this. Lots of good info and product recommendations.

sarahjs wrote:
also VC, i was thinking the other day. people that do snus would have a much lower risk of bacterial disorders such as gingivitis, because the bacteria couldn't survive in a salt and acidic environment that tobacco snus provides
just a thought.

Well the scientific understanding of this is that Swedish Snus is Steam Pasteurised therefore killing or not allowing many bacteria/TCNA carcinogens to form and thrive in Swedish Snus.

E500 or Sodium Carbonate->Sodium Bi-Carbonate(Baking Soda)is a base and slightly alkaline salt and in essence added for flavor, to prevent caking, and for as an acidity regulator to raise ph/lower acidity thus raising alkalinity in the area the Snus is inserted. The slightly alkaline conditions are perfect for the absorption of any readily bioavailable nicotine.

So it's a little confusing because the mouth tends to be slightly alkaline as a result of saliva. Any time we eat or drink any form of carbohydrates/Starches(or sugar in any form) they are converted into sugars....specific bacteria in the mouth ferments sugar into acids which causes plaque and further wears away enamel on the teeth. This lowers the ph of the mouth(making it more acidic and less alkaline) and thus makes the bioavailable nicotine less absorbable because as I said absorption is most efficient in a slightly alkaline environment. This is why the manufacturers add slightly alkaline salts to Snus as an "Acidity regulator". Another way of saying Acidity regulator would be to refer to it as "Slightly alkaline environment producer".

So to answer your question, I must give a split answer.
An acidic environment where sugars are located is bad for the teeth because some of the most damaging bacteria to teeth thrive in acidic conditions. However there are those bacteria that thrive in an alkaline environment but much less than acidic. In contrast to what you said Sarah and I'm glad you brought this up is that as I said the salts in snus are basic and slightly alkaline...so you are half right the worst bacteria for the teeth do not like the salt environment that Swedish Snus provides but it is not because it makes the mouth more acidic but more basic and thus more alkaline. Add sugar to this equation from a drink or food and it screws everything up because sugar/starches/Carbs raise acidity and thus ph in the mouth, making less of the bioavailable nicotine in snus available and absorbable because it is washed away or invites an environment not efficient to absorbing nicotine.

The optimum environment in the mouth for snus and nicotine absorption is just after you brush your teeth and then use a xylitol mouthwash which lowers the ph of the mouth to alkaline and(sorry to say) nothing to drink except water as it is usually slightly basic at 7.2. COffee, Tea, Sugared drinks and even diet sodas and drinks all raise mouth ph and thus make nicotine less absorbable and nicotine is easily diluted by liquids in the stomach(although still absorbed in stomach). So this will lower the chances of getting a strong nicotine kick. The nicotine is absorbed much slower and at a graduated level in the stomach.


As far as gingivitis...it would seem logical what you say because the mouth is an alkaline environment and less friendly to acid creating sugar eating bacteria that the mouth would have less inclination to Dental diseases...In the short run yes that is correct if you do not eat sugar/starches/& Carbs(which as you know is of course absurd)...however if you do not take good care to strengthen your gums and teeth, and you eat Carbs/Starches and Sugars(which we all do) you can throw everything else out the window. The positive aspects most likely would be negated by the introdution of man made sugars.
Weak teeth and gums...bleeding and dental caries(cavities) are the precursor to not just gingivitis but to the breakdown of the bone in the jaw line aka periodontitis and teeth falling out or needing to be pulled and eventual dentures.

There is a large genetic component here as well, but as we all know, we often do not take care of our teeth. The genetic component also comes into play in some people who have no control over Periodontitus or are at least more susceptible to it and must have their teeth removed and replaced with dentures. I know two people that have had this happen, that is lose their teeth, because of a mouth disorder and not for lack of taking care of their teeth. Sometimes as we all know some things are out of our hand however most of us have the fortunate choice wheather we do or do not take enough care of our teeth.

Sorry for the essay but for the sake of completion

VC

VC said it all. Really.

Very nicely done, sir!

Thanks Larry...It's an honor hearing that from The Snus Ambassador to the U.S...Musch respect Sir!

I'm glad to hear you got something out of this thread Oregon N. because a lot of people are afraid to talk or confront their Dental Health. Keep at it my friend.

Another thing I must point out is that for the first 20 years of my life I took piss poor care of my teeth and had some problems for a few years to get everything in good working order. So I am not the shining example of wonderful teeth. I actually have had one tooth pulled on the top right of my mouth and one in the bottom left of my mouth as a result of lack of care for many years.

I found a great dentist as i said that encouraged me to start making it a habit(never too late to start) and I have been able to streamline the process of teeth cleaning out of practice where I spend 5 minutes 2-3 times a day. That's it to do all I posted above 10-15 minutes a day.

Further for those such as Oregon N. who look to explore Biotene and Xylitol products here's a few tips to save you money.

1. Biotene toothpaste is more expensive than regular toothpaste ($6.50 US for Biotene as opposed to $3-4 US for a tube of Crest or Colgate which contains the irritant Sodium Laryl Sulfate.) So what I do Is keep a tube of Colgate in my medicine cabinet and switch off between using regular toothpaste and Biotene TP. If you are having bleeding while flossing or gum irritation or canker sores...use only Biotene TP for 2 to 3 weeks while you pick, floss, and brush and get your teeth and gums strong enough to stop bleeding. Then you can switch back and forth between the two types of toothpaste as the SLS in regular will not bother you if your teeth are strong.
I always use Biotene after smoking a pipe or cigar because it stops the burning that regular toothpaste causes after smoking. So this will save you money. I buy a tube of Biotene and it lasts me 2-3 months as opposed to using it all day every day and a tube of Biotene lasting only 1 month.

2 Biotene Mouthwash is more expensive than regular alcohol mouthwash as well(Biotene MW $8-11US) but I use it after brushing always...wheather I use regular toothpaste or Biotene TP. A bottle of Biotene MW will last you 3-4 months if you do as I, squirt directly into my mouth less than a teaspoon of Biotene MW. If you use more than a teaspoon you will go through a bottle much quicker and thus spend more money when if your conscious about using just a small squirt in the mouth and swish for 30 seconds and it(a bottle of Biotene MW) will last a few months. Again rinse fully after brushing but do not rinse with water after using Biotene MW. Spit out as much as possible and go about your day or go to bed with the remnants of Biotene MW still on your mouth and teeth. Wait 10-15 minutes and then you can put another portion or pris of snus and enjoy. Your mouth will feel very clean and the ph of your mouth will be alkaline and thus able to absorb as much bioavail. nicotine possible. It's a win-win healthy teeth and more nicotine absorbed from your snus.

3. As far as the gum sweetened with Xylitol...you can use gum sweetened with aspartame instead...I chew "Extra-Peppermint" and it works great and it is cheap. The sweetener aspartame is not as good as Xylitol in it's characteric of staving off growth of bacteria and germs but the main intention of the gum is to clean the teeth of any sugars or bits of Snus(Especially when you are at work or on the road and brushing is not possible). So either will do the job but if you can find a Sweetened gum with Xylitol that you like it will work a bit better and Xylitol gum is cheap as well. I buy the gum in 10 packs at the super market or Pharmacy for $2 dollars so it's very cheap and accessable everywhere.

Again Happy Snussing!

VC

Dude! Great Post! Keep up the good work

Thanks N-Krypt....much respect!

VC

Woohoo, I'm stopping at Walgreen's on the way home from work today. Thanks for the info!

Welcome to SnusCENTRAL Dave!

VC, great information! I can't say thank you enough. I hope I can find some biotene toothpaste here, if not I hope to find some online. Again, thanks a million.

Thx Julls.

Fantastic information VC. I have severely damaged my teeth over the years from sleep grinding. I currently need to go to the dentist and have been putting it off, but now I'm going, lol.