Nicotine is one of the main chemicals in cigarette smoke, though it’s just one of many. Compared to the more deadly substances in cigarettes, nicotine itself isn’t as harmful, but it’s highly addictive and keeps you coming back for more carcinogens and chemicals.
Because nicotine doesn’t directly harm the body, it’s used in nicotine patches and gums for nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help you quit smoking.
However, it’s not safe for pregnant women or anyone with heart conditions or adrenaline-related issues, as it can temporarily raise your heart rate and adrenaline levels.
Now, if you’re thinking about quitting and wondering whether chewing nicotine gum will help or hurt your health, read this post to find out more.
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What are the side effects of nicotine gum on your teeth?
Most manufacturers make nicotine gum without sugar, so you don’t have to worry about cavities.
While nicotine gum won’t harm your teeth, mouth, or throat, it might taste and feel a bit different from the sweet treats you’re used to.
You might be wondering if there’s a proper way to chew the gum. Most NRT tools come with detailed instructions, but here’s a basic rundown: chew the nicotine gum thoroughly until you taste something peppery or feel a tingling sensation in your mouth.
Once that happens, tuck the gum between your cheek and teeth (it’s safe for both).
Wait for the taste or tingling to subside, then just repeat the process. Be careful not to chew too fast, as it can cause minor side effects like hiccups, nausea, heartburn, and lightheadedness.
Can nicotine gum cause stomach problems?
Nicotine gum shouldn’t cause stomach issues, as long as you use it in the correct dose and as directed. Follow the instructions that come with the gum to effectively manage cravings and handle withdrawal symptoms during your smoking cessation journey.
Don’t treat nicotine gum like regular flavored gum—taking too much can mess with your stomach and lead to diarrhoea, heartburn, or even vomiting.
Again, there’s no need to worry as long as you use it properly. Any side effects you experience with the correct usage are temporary and will go away as your nicotine levels drop throughout the day.
Remember, nicotine itself isn’t harmful in the short term.
Can nicotine gum cause heart palpitations?
Yes, it can, but only temporarily.
One known side effect of high nicotine consumption is the temporary increase in heart rate. Nicotine temporarily constricts your blood vessels, which causes the heart to work harder.
A study has shown that nicotine consumption – even small doses – can cause a non-permanent rise from 10 to 15 BPM. Still, don’t be scared of using your nicotine gum, especially if you don’t have any underlying heart conditions.
If you’re uncomfortable with how your heart feels when using the gum, your nicotine dosage might be too high for you – and that’s something a friendly GP overseeing your smoking cessation programme can help you with.
Can chewing nicotine gum cause cancer?
No, nicotine gum will not cause or advance cancer.
Some people mistakenly believe that the nicotine content of cigarettes causes cancer. However, it’s the other chemicals in cigarette smoke that cause this – not nicotine.
Once again, nicotine is relatively benign if consumed by itself in small doses prescribed by your GP in the form of a nicotine gum.
Moreover, you’ll only be consuming nicotine gums until your initial withdrawal symptoms have subsided (which often takes just a few weeks to a month). By then, your GP will provide the next steps to help you keep off smoking for good without the help of further NRT use.
Can you use nicotine gum while pregnant?
Any nicotine use while pregnant is not advised. However, even pregnant mothers can find it difficult to stop smoking – and having a tool that reduces harm to both themselves and their unborn child is better than the alternative of continued smoking.
While abstinence is the best solution, some GPs may find nicotine gum to be suitable for pregnant mothers, but only after many considerations. A health professional will always keep in mind harm reduction.
For instance, a GP might prescribe it to a pregnant mother who simply cannot stop smoking to ensure they’re exposing themselves and their child to less danger.
The same applies for other forms of nicotine delivery, such as patches – read more about this here.
Can you overdose on nicotine gum?
Yes, it is possible, but very rarely does it happen with a GP’s oversight and if you read and follow the instructions.
Even if you don’t follow the instructions and treat nicotine gum like regular gum, you may only feel the temporary discomforts mentioned above.
It’s important to see nicotine gum as similar to over-the-counter medication – for instance, ingesting a large dose of cough syrup every day would be extremely dangerous to your health.
In this case, simultaneously consuming multiple high-dose nicotine gums beyond your GP’s prescription and recommended intake can result in nicotine poisoning.
While nicotine poisoning isn’t fatal, it can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, muscle paralysis, and difficulty breathing.
So, the wisest thing to do is to follow your GP’s recommended nicotine gum intake and frequency and read the back instruction panel to use your nicotine gum as safely as possible to wean off withdrawals and stop smoking for good.
Related: The Effectiveness of Nicotine Replacements
Nicotine Gum: Is it Worth the Investment?
We can confidently say that nicotine gum is worth the investment if you’d like to stop smoking for good.
It’s normal to feel some of the minor side effects mentioned here if it’s your first time going through NRT. Also, you’ll want to go through a GP’s smoking cessation programme to learn the right nicotine dose your gum should have and use it wisely to stop smoking for good.
Smokefree Clinic gives you access to many medically reviewed and trustworthy resources that can inform and aid you in your path to wellness, so have a look around!
If you’re ready to get started, Smokefree can connect you to friendly Australian healthcare professionals who excel in helping patients quit smoking for good.
Link Reference
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7008742/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4958544/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S073510979700079X
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21582-nicotine-poisoning
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885240/