Switching one bad habit for another?

The long-term effects of tobacco use on oral and systemic health are well known. It is implicated in a wide spectrum of diseases, including cardiovascular disease and a range of cancers, including cancers affecting the mouth, head and neck. It is also recognised as a significant risk factor for periodontitis. Tobacco use is associated with increased pocket depths, loss of periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, and a higher rate of tooth loss. Smokers additionally have a 140.2 per cent higher risk of implant failure than non-smokers.

Therapies using nicotine-containing alternatives to smoking are designed for short-term use. While some products can legitimately help smokers quit the habit, nicotine, even when isolated from tobacco, is not a healthy product. It is addictive and has been shown to affect gingival blood flow, as well as the immune response due to its effect on cytokine production, and neutrophil and other immune cell function.