Dipping involves placing smokeless tobacco, often called a “wad” or “plug,” between the gum and cheek or lip. Dentures are removable dental prosthetics, typically made from acrylic resin or metal, designed to replace missing teeth and surrounding tissues. Although it is physically possible to use smokeless tobacco while wearing a denture, professionals strongly advise against this habit. This practice accelerates damage to the appliance and the remaining oral structures, rapidly degrading prosthetic materials and compromising long-term oral health.
Practical Challenges of Dipping While Wearing Dentures
The primary mechanical issue for denture wearers who dip is maintaining the position of the tobacco wad. Smokeless tobacco stimulates a substantial increase in salivary flow, often termed “tobacco spit.” This excess saliva severely compromises the suction seal or adhesive bond necessary to keep a complete denture securely in place, leading to instability and slippage.
The constant movement of the tobacco wad against the gum line, often exacerbated by a loose denture, causes friction and irritation. This mechanical challenge makes it difficult to keep the tobacco consistently situated. Dipping also creates immediate aesthetic concerns, as the tobacco residue and increased saliva production lead to unsightly staining and the need for constant expectoration.
The highly pigmented nature of smokeless tobacco rapidly stains the artificial teeth and the pink acrylic base of the prosthetic. This discoloration is often deep-seated and difficult to remove with standard brushing, marring the appliance’s appearance. The altered oral environment also frequently leads to a diminished perception of taste, reducing the wearer’s enjoyment of food.
Damage to the Prosthetic Materials
Smokeless tobacco physically and chemically degrades the materials used to construct dental prosthetics. Dentures are commonly made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic, a porous material highly susceptible to staining from nicotine and tar compounds. These stains penetrate deep into the acrylic, making them nearly impossible to remove without specialized professional cleaning or replacement.
The tobacco product often contains abrasive particles that can scratch the smooth surface of the acrylic base. These micro-abrasions create rough areas that trap bacteria and fungal organisms, such as Candida albicans, potentially leading to persistent infections. For partial dentures, the metal components, such as clasps or frameworks, are also vulnerable to damage.
Commercial smokeless tobacco products often contain salts and sugars added for flavor and preservation. These chemical additives promote the corrosion and degradation of metal frameworks, particularly those made of cobalt-chromium alloys. This corrosion weakens the denture’s structural integrity and can release minute metal ions into the oral cavity.
The combined effect of staining, abrasion, and corrosion necessitates more frequent professional cleanings. Ultimately, this significantly shortens the functional lifespan of the prosthetic device.
Accelerated Deterioration of Oral Health
The most severe non-carcinogenic consequence of dipping with dentures is the accelerated deterioration of the underlying oral tissues. The tobacco wad is habitually placed directly against the mucosal lining, concentrating irritants in one area. This constant exposure dramatically speeds up gingival recession and alveolar ridge resorption.
Alveolar bone loss is expected after tooth extraction, but smokeless tobacco use exacerbates this process, leading to a faster reduction in jawbone height and width. Since dentures rely on the underlying bone structure for stability, this accelerated bone loss causes the denture to rapidly lose its fit. An ill-fitting prosthetic creates chronic friction against the soft tissues, leading to painful sores, ulcers, and inflammatory conditions.
One common condition is denture stomatitis, a chronic inflammation of the oral mucosa beneath a denture, often linked to fungal overgrowth. The instability caused by bone loss requires the wearer to seek frequent relines, adjustments, or even entirely new dentures. This cycle of accelerated tissue destruction and prosthetic instability severely compromises the wearer’s ability to eat and speak comfortably.
Increased Risk of Oral Cancer
Smokeless tobacco is classified as a known human carcinogen, primarily due to high concentrations of tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNAs). When a person dips, these potent chemicals are absorbed directly through the oral mucosa where the tobacco rests. Dipping with dentures often concentrates these carcinogens on a specific, localized patch of tissue, typically the mandibular vestibule or cheek lining.
The denture may compound this risk by physically trapping carcinogenic substances against the tissue for extended periods, increasing the duration and intensity of exposure. Chronic mechanical trauma caused by an ill-fitting or loose denture creates areas of chronic inflammation and tissue breakdown. This chronic irritation, combined with constant exposure to TSNAs, creates a synergistic effect that increases the likelihood of precancerous lesion development.
These precancerous lesions often appear as white or red patches, known as leukoplakia or erythroplakia, on the soft tissues where the tobacco wad is held. Leukoplakia is a significant risk factor for malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma. Due to the high risk, individuals who dip while wearing dentures require frequent and meticulous screenings by a dental professional to detect suspicious tissue changes early.