E-cigarettes/Vaping and Oral Health Vaping and e-cigarette devices have become increasingly popular in the past decade. Although studies are ongoing, there’s still a lot we don’t know about its long-term effects. Many say that vaping does appear to pose fewer oral health risks than smoking cigarettes. With that being said, vaping can still harm your teeth and overall oral health.
How does vaping affect your teeth and gums? Current research suggests vaping can have a variety of adverse effects on your teeth and gums. Some of these effects include: Excess bacteria: A study found that teeth that had been exposed to e-cigarette aerosol had more bacteria than those that hadn’t. This difference was more significant in the pits and crevices of teeth. Excess bacteria are associated with tooth decay, cavities, and gum diseases. Dry mouth: Some e-cigarette base liquids, particularly propylene glycol, can cause mouth dryness. Chronic mouth dryness is associated with bad breath, mouth sores, and tooth decay. Inflamed gums: One study suggests e-cigarette use triggers an inflammatory response in gum tissues. Ongoing gum inflammation is associated with various periodontal diseases. Overall irritation: Vaping can cause mouth and throat irritation. It may also have an impact on your gums, including- tenderness, swelling, and redness. How does vaping compare to smoking cigarettes? Although e-cigarettes do not contain the tobacco found in cigarettes or the tar produced by cigarettes, they may present similar health risks. More research needs to be done to understand both the short- and long-term effects of vaping on oral health. If you’re concerned about vaping and its impact on oral health or notice changes in your teeth sensitivity or gums, talk to our hygienists or one of our Dentists.