Oral Bacteria May Help Reduce Nicotine Dependence

Scientists found that using smokeless tobacco for a long time changes the bacteria in your mouth.

Some of these bacteria can break down nicotine, the addictive part of tobacco.

This discovery might help people quit tobacco because these bacteria could reduce how much nicotine gets into the body.

The researchers collected saliva samples and used special tools to study the bacteria.

They found that these bacteria not only survive in nicotine but also break it down.

This could lead to new ways to help people stop using tobacco, like using good bacteria as a treatment.

However, more research is needed before this can be used to help people quit tobacco.