Chewing tobacco comes in many different forms but there are two main categories of differentiation that are seen in modern society; pouches of chewing tobacco, and loose leaf tobacco. There exists a common misconception about chewing tobacco and pouches with the belief being that pouches are a safer alternative to loose leaf, but the only difference between the two is the physical containment. The detrimental health effects of dip are seen in relatively equal rates between loose leaf and pouches, the only determining factor into which one to use is a matter of personal preference in regards to the aforementioned containment and cleanliness factors.
Pouches of chewing tobacco are essentially the same thing as loose leaf tobacco, only pouches create a small barrier between the tobacco and the gums of the user. There is relatively the same amount of nicotine and other health damaging components found within pouches as there are with loose leaf; pouches simply give the appearance of a more clean form of chew given that there is no direct physical contact between the tobacco itself and the gums of the individual. There is still the same potential of addiction to pouches as there is with loose leaf tobacco, which can lead to a tolerance build up and ultimately, withdrawal symptoms from discontinuation of use.
If you are an avid user of dip and are considering transferring from the loose leaf form to pouches in order to save your gums, you are misinformed and will still see the same effects of potential cancer within the mouth and a degradation of the gum tissue within the mouth. Overall, modern day society is geared toward avoiding unclean habits which has brought about the advent of pouches of chewing tobacco geared towards containment of the tobacco and built up juice and saliva. This advent is effective in reducing the clean up process of after use of chewing tobacco, but it is in no way a safer alternative to loose leaf.
This is false to a degree. It’s sad to see scare tactics rather than the real truth. I chewed long cut for 7 years. I built “pockets” in my cheeks. 6 months on pouches the inner parts of my cheeks have grown back and my dentist is complimenting my gum health. I’m still acknowledging the adverse effects of nicotine but still to a degree, pouches are better.
Matthew,
Thank you for your opinion. We are all about reader and member interaction and input around these parts. But nobody knows which dip or pouch is going to trigger that cellular mutation into cancer. Nobody.
When you’re ready to quit chewing tobacco, you know where to find us. http://thequit.org.
I want to add onto Matthew’s statement as well. I have chewed habitually for the past 2 and a half years. (habitually meaning 3-4 times a day and about 2/3 of a tin a day). The first 2 years, like most users, were heavily dependent on long cut tobacco. Long cut definitely provides a stronger and more direct nicotine intake along with a better physical sensation than pouches. However, I noticed about 8 months ago, that my gums were sore and that the long cut was actually painful. I’ve since switched to pouches and noticed significant difference in the pain and recession of my gums. On the other hand, I have now started to find more abrasion of my gums as the cutting has been reduced (long cut) but my gums have almost been rubbed dry. Whatever the physical difference, I know that damage is still being done but I feel that as I practice good dental hygiene, I can limit the total damage. I’ve yet to hear negative feedback from my dental hygienist and actually had to tell them I chewed before they said anything. Hopefully their negative reinforcement along with my mother’s constant nagging about the habit will eventually force me to quit.
I agree. As a former long time user of first long cut and now long time user of pouches, I could both see and feel the improvementin the health of my gums. ex. Loose chew would make my gums and inner lip raw and quite tender. Since switching to pouches, this no longer happen. Not getting heartburn any more is also a plus
My experience is similar to the gentlemen above. I smoked for many years and quit. Years later, I picked up the loose tobacco habit, using Copehnagen or Skoal. I would “switch around” the place in my mouth where I would tuck the chew, and eventually some irritation developed. While getting some tooth work done, a dentist said I had leukoplakia (white patches).
I don’t recall exactly (this was years ago and I am almost 60) but at some point I started back up or switched to pouches – Skoal Bandits straight, at first. Then Bandits became difficult to purchase – stores did not carry them consistently, and if I bought loose chew it would irritate my mouth. I never cared for the “mint” flavors. I have been chewing Skoal Pouches straight now for probably 10 years. My dentist harries me furiously me every 6 months, as she should.
But I persist in my bad habit. Chewing is a very hard habit to kick. With the pouches, it can be done discretely. I don’t spit – just keep it tucked up there and take a pull off it now and then. Of course this is an unhealthy and nasty habit, but it seems that the pouches present a somewhat reduced risk of the skin irritation and perhaps cancer rate, though the latter is just speculation by me. I wish the people who researched these things paid more attention to relative risk (cigarettes, plug vs. loose or pouch, snus) rather than an absolutist approach.