What Studies Say About Nicotine Pouches And Oral Health

Nathan Chilcott

Published Studies

Nicotine pouches and their effect on health have become a hot topic. Some argue that pouches encourage nicotine addiction.

However, studies, such as this one from the NCBI show that nicotine pouches are an effective form of tobacco harm reduction.

Of course, we’re here to talk about oral health and nicotine pouches.

Oral Health Concerns

Nicotine pouches are inserted between your lip and gum. They are left in place for up to 60 minutes, and this has led to concerns regarding oral health.

They are tobacco-free and a viable smoking alternative.

Specifically, questions have been asked regarding nicotine pouches potential to increase the risk of oral cancer, damage your teeth or gums, or increase the risk of heart disease.

What The Studies Say

"It’s important to note that nicotine pouches are very effective as part of tobacco harm reduction techniques. Studies have shown they pose fewer risks than cigarettes.”

Although there are a number of studies into nicotine pouches, there are very few that look at the long-term effects. This isn’t surprising; nicotine pouches haven’t been around that long.

One study, registered with the National Library of Medicine shows that the use of nicotine pouches could affect the oral mucosa and gingival status.

This simply tells us that there is a possibility of harm to the gums. The study didn’t clarify what potential damage this could be.

Another study undertaken by ncbi shows that keeping pouches in position can cause injury and irritation.

If you experience this, we recommend switching changing the position of pouch placement in your mouth, or try a lower strength pouch.

The study also found that the nicotine in pouches can damage the epithelial cells in your mouth, which could lead to periodontal problems.

Specifically, this means soreness, bad breath, pain, and even gum recession. All of these can also occur if you don’t look after your teeth properly.

The study didn’t look at oral care regimes in conjunction with nicotine pouch usage. Therefore, more research is needed to determine the depth of this link.

Of course, regular dental care and checkups will spot and help eliminate any issues early.

Finally, a ResearchGate study found that an increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular issues in nicotine pouch users was negligible.

However, the study did find that regular use of pouches resulted in a thickened epithelium, which has been linked to an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma. However, none of the participants in the study went on to develop this issue.

Summing Up

It’s clear that the current range of studies cannot conclusively say that nicotine patches are detrimental to your oral health.

What is certain is that they are a healthier option than traditional smoking. We can’t tell you what to do, but if you’re looking to quit smoking for good, nicotine pouches are a viable and effective option.

Best of all, we’ll keep you informed of any relevant findings from future studies.

• Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure the information published on our website is accurate and up-to-date. Our blog is provided for information only. It is not intended as medical advice.