The Impact of Modern Oral Nicotine Pouches on Oral Health

With the new vape ban coming into effect in Australia, there’s now a new modern oral nicotine product on the rise. First garnering popularity in the UK and Europe, nicotine pouches are gaining traction here in Australia at a concerning rate.

Australia has been struggling with nicotine use for the past few years, especially with the ‘black market’ for single-use vapes. This has also led to a worrying increase in younger people, like high school students, being able to easily access nicotine when it’s supposed to be prohibited for people under 18.

New legislation that took effect on July 1st, 2024, established a national framework to regulate the domestic manufacture, importation, supply, advertisement, and commercial possession of vapes.

Now, the only way to get a vape is through a prescription and flavours are restricted to mint, menthol, and tobacco. The only retailers will be pharmacies—tobacconists, vape shops, and convenience stores can’t sell vapes—but this has led to the rise of nicotine pouches.

As vapes are getting harder to access, the once-single-use-vape retailers are moving onto nicotine pouches, which, while they have been banned since 1991 in the country, are easier to import for sellers and more discrete.

Another huge problem is that these pouches feature the same problematic colourful marketing and flavours as disposable vapes.

Why The Ban on Single-use Vapes May Not Be The Best For Public Health

The ban on single-use vapes has been at the centre of controversy over the past year regarding its impact on public health. Below, we’ve listed out some reasons why this recent crack-down may not be the best approach:

• Vaping is a genuine alternative to smoking and has been used by smokers to decrease nicotine consumption or, in some cases, quit completely. The new, heavy regulations on vaping may push users back onto traditional cigarettes, which are more harmful.
• Prohibiting single-use vapes even further with the new legislation may lead to a rise of an unregulated black market, which we’ve seen with previous bans.
• Many users prefer single-use vapes for simplicity and convenience. The ban on these types of vapes may lead users to go to unsafe alternatives, like cigarettes.
• The ban on single-use vape products is also not adequately addressing the source of the issue regarding youth vaping, which includes marketing and peer pressure. This is part of the reason nicotine pouch use is on the rise.

The ban on single-use vapes is driving users to far more harmful alternatives, which are also worse for oral health, like nicotine pouches and cigarettes.

Emerging Nicotine Products Impact On Oral Health

Nicotine dental problems are on the rise due to emerging nicotine products, like vapes and nicotine pouches. The impact of the products has been concerning, as they’ve been linked to oral cancers, increased plaque, tissue damage, and more.

Vaping

Although vapes are relatively new, especially compared to cigarettes, studies are already finding links between vaping and increased oral health risks. This includes potentially increased risks for oral cancer, discolouration of teeth, bad breath due to a dry mouth caused by vapour, increased risks of tooth decay, reduced saliva production, and gum health.

Reduced saliva production and/or a dry mouth alone can have devastating impacts on the mouth and overall oral well-being. Saliva plays an integral role in protecting your tooth enamel by breaking down acids and sugars. So, if your mouth isn’t producing enough, it can lead to damage to the tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay and cavities.

Nicotine pouches

Nicotine pouches have similar effects on oral health to vapes, with a larger impact on the gums. This is because the pouches are placed between the gum and upper lip for nicotine absorption. This prolonged contact causes extreme irritation of the gums.

While it’s unclear whether nicotine pouches like Zyn can cause gum disease, as the product is so new, a similar product—Snus—is shown to cause gum disease like gum recession as a side effect. Gum recession is when your gum tissue begins to pull away from your teeth, revealing the roots and increasing the risk for cavities.

Many of the emerging nicotine products, especially black market types of single-use vapes and nicotine pouches, are linked to traces of toxins and dangerous chemicals. For instance, one investigation found traces of toxic chromium and TSNAs. These are extremely risky, not only to oral health but to overall well-being, which is concerning considering how accessible these products are for youth and adolescents.

How To Maintain Good Oral Health

Good oral health is the key to enjoying life. Not only does it mean you can eat and taste your favourite foods, but it also plays an essential role in communication and the health of your jaw, neck, and the rest of your face, so it’s essential to stay on top of your oral hygiene.

From brushing your teeth to drinking fluoridated water, we’ve compiled a list below of the best steps to follow to maintain good oral health. Keep bad bread and sore gums away with our tips.

• Brush your teeth: One of the most important steps to oral health is brushing your teeth. It’s advised to brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. This will help prevent plaque buildup, remove food particles, prevent cavities, and improve gum health.
• Flossing: It’s critical to clean between your teeth at least once a day. Professionals recommend flossing before brushing your teeth, as it helps remove food particles and plaque from your teeth, allowing the toothbrush to clean more effectively—improving overall oral health.
• Routine check-ups: It’s essential to stick to a regular schedule for routine check-ups and professional cleaning with a dentist. Even someone with exceptional oral health should see a dentist regularly to maintain it.
• Drink fluoridated water: Fluoride is one of the few ways to strengthen tooth enamel, making it more decay-resistant. So, drinking fluoridated water is a great way to improve your oral well-being while staying hydrated easily.
• Avoid smoking and other nicotine-related products: Smoking and other nicotine-related products have been linked to a variety of oral health conditions. This includes gum disease, tooth decay, staining, increased oral cancer risk, delayed healing after dental procedures, and other conditions that impact overall well-being.
• Eat a well-balanced diet: Eating a well-balanced diet and eliminating acidic and sugary drinks and food is the key to maintaining good oral health. Acids and sugar can damage tooth enamel, leading to an increased risk for conditions like gum disease and tooth decay.

Book A Comprehensive Check-up At Admire Dentistry

The best way to stay on top of your oral health, especially if you use nicotine products, is to book a comprehensive check-up and clean at Admire Dentistry. In our initial examination, we do a thorough oral examination that takes up to 40 minutes. During this, we collate information about your dental health history and thoroughly examine your mouth, teeth, gums, neck and jaw.

Our team is passionate about oral health and understands the importance of good dentistry. If you have any questions about your teeth, how we can help, or the impact of nicotine on the teeth and gums—contact us today. We’d be happy to answer any queries.

Admire Dentistry has locations in Arana Hills and Samford Village. We understand that visiting a dentist can be daunting, which is why our team strives to make our clinic as comfortable and welcoming as possible. If you require any accommodations, just let our team know beforehand, and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.