You probably have heard about the dangers of smoking. Smoking cigarettes can lead to cancer, stroke, heart disease, lung disease and so forth. Moreover, this bad habit is directly related to a host of dental risks like bad breath, tooth discoloration, gum disease, oral cancer and more.
For these reasons, some smokers have turned to electronic cigarettes (or vapes) to consume tobacco. Many people deem e-cigarettes as a generally safer option since they emit fewer toxins than cigarette smoke does. However, this perception has also led to record-breaking numbers of young people who have never smoked before to begin vaping. E-cigarettes are now the most popular tobacco product among children and adolescents.
WHAT IS VAPING?
An e-cigarette is an electronic device that heats a liquid solution to a high temperature to create an aerosol that you inhale. These solutions often contain ingredients like nicotine, a flavoring and a humectant (like propylene glycol).
According to the CDC, some harmful ingredients often found in e-cigarette aerosol include:
· Nicotine
· Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
· Flavorings like diacetyl, a chemical linked to a severe lung disease
· Volatile organic compounds
· Cancer-causing chemicals
· Heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead
WHY IS VAPING BAD FOR YOUR ORAL HEALTH?
There are several reasons why dentists do not encourage vaping. Here are four of the main ones:
1. Dry Mouth
One of the most common side effects of vaping is a dry mouth. Some humectants in e-cigarettes, like propylene glycol, for example, can cause mouth dryness. Mouth dryness can produce bad breath, mouth sores and even cause tooth decay.
2. Gum Disease
Some e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a dangerous and addictive chemical. The American Heart Association states that nicotine, whether it is vaped or smoked, restricts blood flow to the gums, and therefore, causes an increased risk of gum disease. Other commonly occurring ingredients like propylene glycol, benzene and formaldehyde only heighten this grave risk.
3. Tooth Discoloration
Even though e-cigarettes do not contain tar, some still contain nicotine, which will stain your teeth.
4. Bacterial Changes
While you probably associate sugary candies and acidic drinks with tooth problems, did you know that vaping can create excess bacteria in your mouth that can lead to tooth decay, cavities and gum disease? According to this 2018 study, the aerosol from e-cigarettes caused a four-fold increase in microbial (bacterial) adhesion to tooth enamel, especially in the pits and crevices of the teeth. Since many e-cigarette flavorings are sweet, the aerosols they produce also have comparable physical and chemical properties to high-sucrose, gelatinous candies and acidic drinks.