Per Sverre Singstad (25) started snus in 2015, but is one of many who chose to switch to all-white snus. Singstad lives and studies in Bodø and is about to start his fourth year of lecturer training at Nord University. – I started with a gray snus, from the Skruf brand, but eventually I switched to white snus as it didn’t cause so much discoloration on the teeth. WANT TO QUIT: It’s not just about quitting snuff. Per Sverre wants to quit completely, but admits that it is difficult. Photo: Marie Staberg / news The student notices a big difference between the different types of snus. – There is a lot of white snus that stings more in the gums. I don’t think it’s that great, but there are probably more people who like it to kick a little extra. – I mostly want to just stop using snus in general. I think many people recognize that, but it’s like quitting smoking, it’s difficult, he says. Increasing trend 15 percent of the Norwegian population snuffs daily, a doubling in the last ten years, according to figures from Statistics Norway. According to figures from the analysis company Nielsen Holdings, Singstad is not the only one to have chosen all-white snus over brown snus. In June 2022, all-white snus products accounted for 31.5 percent of the total market in Norway. In comparison, the figures were 26.4 per cent in June 2021. That is a growth of approximately 5 per cent in a year. Disappointing message Lise Danielsen is a dentist at Bodø dental center and sees that more and more people are choosing white snus. – It may seem that the white snus has been considered to be “nicer” than the brown snus. – Young girls in particular use this to avoid discolouration of their teeth. Despite the growing trend, she has a discouraging message for all those who have put their love on the all-white snus. It can go hard beyond the mucous membranes. – It may look like it can cause more serious damage than first thought. SKEPTICISM: Dentist Lise Danielsen is experiencing increasing skepticism about snus among dentists and gum health specialists. Photo: Alexander Kjønsø Karlsen / news Personal observations Danielsen emphasizes that her statements are based on personal observations among dentists and specialists in gum disease. She refers in particular to gum disease specialist Kristin Kolltveit. The side effects of snuff use Snuff use causes local damage both to the attachment of the teeth and to the mucous membrane against which it rests. The gums can recede so that you lose the supporting tissue around the teeth. This in turn can lead to loose teeth and a change in the position of the teeth. There are mainly two types of damage to the mucous membranes. The most common are white areas where the snuff is placed against the mucous membrane. This is a reactive thickening of the mucous membrane (keratosis). Less common are red, spongy, sore areas, where the snuff is placed against the mucous membrane. The red changes can cause symptoms and are experienced as unpleasant. (Directorate of Health) – When using white snus, we see more red changes in the gums, and patients state that the gums are perceived as sore, says Danielsen. Kristin Kolltveit emphasizes that there is no scientific documentation on this yet, since the white snus is so new on the market. – This is based on clinical investigations. But we see that the white snus causes damage, and it doesn’t look pretty. It will hurt, it may bleed more easily. The first question we ask when we see such injuries is “do you use white snuff”, and very often the answer is yes. – I know that a number of colleagues have come out and said to use white snuff and not brown, it does not cause discolouration, and that is fine enough. But what they forget is that white snuff can also damage the gums. Two different types of damage to mucous membranes When it comes to damage to mucous membranes, two types are mainly seen. The most common are white areas where the snuff is placed against the mucous membrane. This is a reactive thickening of the mucous membrane (keratosis). Less common are red, spongy, sore areas, where the snuff is placed against the mucous membrane. The red changes can cause symptoms and are experienced as unpleasant. Most of the mucosal changes associated with snuff use will usually be reversible if you stop snuffing, the gingival retractions will not, i.e. the fact that the necks of the teeth have been exposed as a result of the gums having pulled up against the root of the tooth Source: Dentist Lise Danielsen The reason for this type of damage is uncertain, but according to Danielsen, it is suspected that the white snus is even more basic than the brown, and that the snus causes some form of corrosive damage. GUM PROBLEMS: The picture illustrates gums that have receded after using snuff. Photo: Den norske tannlegeforening Tidende Undercommunicated For Danielsen, it is important that her patients receive as good information about oral health as possible. – In particular, the problems surrounding white snus are under-communicated. She emphasizes that all sniffing causes a certain degree of damage, and recommends that everyone stop sniffing altogether. If this is not possible, it is important to vary where the snuff is placed, so that the same area is not exposed to irritation and friction from the snuff. – Fortunately, cancer in the oral cavity is relatively rare. It is nevertheless important to have good information and control to prevent disease related to tobacco and nicotine products. Discreet sniffing Nils Erlimo, director of communications for the snus producer giant Swedish Match Norge, has also noticed that Norwegians choose all-white snus over traditional brown snus. MORE WHITE SNUS: Nils Erlimo in Swedish Match Norway says the company is seeing a gradual increase in people switching from brown snuff. Photo: Swedish Match He believes there are mainly two reasons why people prefer the white version over the brown one. – Firstly, there is less tobacco in the white. – Secondly, there will be less discoloration of the teeth, says Erlimo. He believes that Norwegians are concerned with being discreet when they sniff and that they therefore want to prevent this discoloration by using the white snuff.
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Per Sverre switched to white snus, which dentists warn against – news Nordland
