Vaping And The Impact On Your Oral Health Posted on April 25, 2022
As with smoking cigarettes, vaping is an activity that can have a negative effect on your teeth and overall oral health. Vaping devices have become more popular in the past decade among teenagers and young adults. As a result on your oral health, you may experience tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Is Vaping Bad For Your Teeth?
More research still needs to be done to in order to fully understand the short/long term effects of vaping on oral health. Potential side effects include dry mouth, excessive bacteria, and puffy bleeding gums. Throat soreness has been reported after vaping consistently.
Chronic dry mouth is associated with:
- Bad breath,
- Mouth sores
- Tooth decay while
- Puffy/bleeding gums
According to a 2018 review written by the National Academies Press of Sciences and Medicine, “studies of live cells from human gums suggest vaping aerosols can increase inflammation and DNA damage. This can lead cells to lose their power to divide and grow, which can speed up cell aging and result in cell death.” Cell death caused by an accelerated cell aging process may cause oral health issues like periodontal diseases, bone loss, and tooth loss.
Is It Harmful To Use Vape Juice Containing Nicotine?
The unique effects of nicotine from vaping devices include plaque accumulation, tooth staining, tooth grinding, and receding gums. This may lead to mouth ulcers and gum disease. According to the Committee on the Review of the Health Effects of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, “Vaping is tied to several adverse effects. Nicotine may exacerbate some of them. More research is needed to truly understand and compare the effects of vaping fluid with and without nicotine.”
Does The Vape Flavor Have An Impact?
Limited research suggests that vaping flavored e-juice may increase your risk of mouth irritation and inflammation.
What About Juuling?
“Juuling” refers to the use of a specific vape brand. Juuling e-liquids typically contain nicotine, and therefore the oral health effects are the same as listed above.
How Do I Minimize The Side Effects of Vaping?
- Limit your nicotine intake. Opting for low-nicotine or nicotine-free juices can help limit the negative effects of nicotine on your teeth and gums.
- Drink water after you vape. Avoid dry mouth and bad breath by rehydrating after you vape.
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Brushing helps remove plaque, which helps prevent cavities and promotes overall gum health.
- Floss before bed. Like brushing, flossing helps remove plaque and promotes gum health.
- Visit a dentist on a regular basis. If you can, see a dentist every six months for a cleaning and consultation. Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule will aid in the early detection and treatment of any underlying conditions.
At Cardinal Orthodontics, we want you to be aware of the risks of vaping so that you can make the best decision for your oral health. Visit our FAQ page to learn more or contact our office at 314-962-6242.
Source: bit.ly/3Mj7VnA
Categories: Oral HealthTags: nicotine, oral health, vaping