Nicotine gums have gained quite a popularity amongst people who are on their way to quitting smoking. They are NRT products that are designed to release nicotine in the body through the mouth. As we all know, it is really difficult to fight the urge to smoke, nicotine gums prove to be quite useful in helping manage nicotine cravings in a controlled and safer manner.
But even after their popularity, there are some fair share of myths and misconceptions that are associated with them. In this blog, we will debunk those myths and also give you some tips to use them efficiently.
Myth 1 – Anti nicotine gums are as harmful as smoking
However harmful effects of smoking on health need not much elaboration, but let us again reiterate the fact that smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer, respiratory diseases, and heart issues. It is because when you smoke a cigarette you also inhale a bunch of harmful toxins that damage the body.
On the other hand, when you use NRT products like nicotine gums or even patches, you do not ‘smoke’ anything. They are designed to provide a controlled dose of nicotine without the harmful chemicals that are found in cigarettes. Additionally, there is no passive smoking happening here. They are much safer and play a significant role in helping people quit smoking.
Myth 2 – NRT is ineffective in the long run
Many people believe that chewing on nicotine gums or using nicotine patches are only temporary solutions and are not effective for long-term quitting. In reality, NRT products are as effective in short-term quitting and long-term quitting. They are designed to help you control the amount of nicotine you put into your system. You can slowly and gradually decrease the dose of nicotine, breaking away the body’s dependence on it completely.
Myth 3 – People get addicted to nicotine gums
See, nicotine gums do contain nicotine which is an addictive substance. But the whole point of these gums is to be in charge of the amount of nicotine you put in your body. Of course, you are not supposed to have them when you are still smoking as this will only cause a nicotine overdose. You need to be sensible and responsible while using nicotine gums.
Myth 4 – Nicotine gums harm oral health
While excessive smoking will definitely impact oral health, using nicotine gums will not do much harm. There are many sugar-free Nicotine Gums in India that you can count on. They reduce the risk of potential dental concerns, help you maintain good oral hygiene and help you deal with oral fixation of the cigarettes.
Myth 5 – Nicotine gums in India are expensive
They might seem a bit expensive when compared to cigarettes but compare the cost associated with the health risks of smoking. Additionally, when compared to other NRT products, they are quite cost-effective.
Now that we have busted most of the myths associated with anti-tobacco gums, there is one more thing that we would like to say – Nicotine gums can be used by anyone who is willing to quit, you do not have to be a heavy smoker. You can find the gum which is of lesser dose and start your quitting journey.
Allow us to now give you some things NOT to do when you are using nicotine gums. Keep the following in mind:
1. Do not swallow the nicotine gum. If you do so, it will cause terrible stomach pain or even might worsen the nicotine cravings.
2. Do not drink or eat anything while chewing the gum. This will reduce the effectiveness of the gum.
3. Pregnant women should not use nicotine gums as it might harm the fetus.
4. Do not smoke while using the gum or you could end up with a nicotine overdose.
- Do not put more than one nicotine gum in your mouth at a time.
Follow this list of DON’ts and we are sure that you will be able to quit your cigarettes.
For people who do not know how to use nicotine gums, here’s a quick guide –
Use the chew and park method while having the nicotine gum. This means that you need to chew the gum slowly and then place it between your gums and cheek for some time. This will release the nicotine into your bloodstream. After waiting for a few minutes, start chewing on the gum again. Do this exercise for roughly 30 minutes or till the gum loses its peppery flavor.
We hope that by now you are much more informed about the usage of nicotine gums and can make a better decision of switching to them over smoking. We understand that the road to quitting is not an easy one to walk on but with the right amount of motivation and willpower – you can achieve your goal. You can always take advantage of NRT products to help you on your journey and enhance your chances of success. Remember it is never too late to quit. You can start today!
