Study show snus causes gingival retraction and lesions

Most of the snus users in a Norwegian cross-sectional study had snus induced lesions, and one fifth had gingival retractions. The severity increased with the amount and the duration of the snus use.

– Approximately 80 percent of the adolescents had snus induced lesions, says Håkon Valen, senior scientist at NIOM and the National Institute of Public Health.

He performed the study with Simen E. Kopperud, Vibeke Ansteinsson, Ibrahimu Mdala and Rune Becher. The study was published in February 2023, with the title “Oral lesions associated with daily use of snus, a moist smokeless tobacco product. A cross-sectional study among Norwegian adolescents”.

Daily use
– The participants were between 18 and 20 years old and were using snus daily, Valen says.

Snus, a moist, smokeless tobacco product, gained popularity in the Norway after indoor smoking in bars and restaurants was banned in 2004.

– Our aim was to look at the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions (snus induced lesions) and gingival retractions among adolescent users of snus in Norway.

Gingival retraction
– Even though approximately 80 percent had mucosal lesions, it is noteworthy that about 20 percent had gingival retraction. While mucosal lesions may heal, gingival retraction exposing the root is irreversible, Valen says.

The severity of the oral mucosal lesions and the prevalence of gingival retractions were dependent on the number of snus boxes used and the duration of the use.

– It is essential that prevention of the use of tobacco and other nicotine products includes early youth and the dental health care professionals have an opportunity to take an active role in this, says Valen.

Photo by prostock studio, istock: Snus does damage to the inside of your mouth, and some of those changes are irreversible. The changes can happen even though the user is in his or her teens or twenties.

Reference:

Oral lesions associated with daily use of snus, a moist smokeless tobacco product. A cross-sectional study among Norwegian adolescents
Kopperud SE, Ansteinsson V, Mdala I, Becker R, Valen H
Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 2023 Feb 17; 1-6
https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2023.2178502

NIOM Newsletter August 2023