I'm taking a vacation from pipe smoking. I had some oral surgery where a crown and old (25 or 30 years) root canal broke off during a dental cleaning. They'd warned me, and I'd chosen to "monitor" the situation. My fault, if there is fault. After that, the little enamel spurs snagged my tongue, even after the dentist filed them down. The oral surgeon was good, quick and reassuring with continual explanation of what he was doing. Both leading up to and now after, I'm letting the capillaries do their job reconstructing my gum line. No incision or stitches needed, just dividing the surface burrs and easing out the roots. I'm back to solid food (on the off side) after a few days. A pipe I'd packed sits wistfully in a crockery bowl. The pause doesn't seem to torment me; I don't think nicotine is a problem for me. But it will be nice when I can again have a bowl every day or two.
