Oral health and nicotine replacement therapy product

Abstract

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products are used extensively for assisting users in achieving cessation goals through the substitution of pure nicotine with tobacco-less products. Awareness of the adverse oral effects of nicotine replacement products is important for health practitioners. This review highlights the potential effects of NRT products on the oral tissues and management of these adverse effects. Cochrane, PubMed, and MEDLINE electronic databases were utilized in search of the relevant literature related to NRT. The review highlights various adverse effects on oral health status from NRT products, with the underlying mechanisms for these effects remaining inconclusive. There is a need for more education of health professionals in oral health promotion and maintenance in these cases. NRT products have many potential adverse effects on oral health, and it is the responsibility of dental professionals to consider these in the management of patients to optimize a beneficial clinical outcome.