In the early days of vaping, this habit was promoted as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes or using other forms of tobacco. Today, we know that vaping is NOT safe! Vaping may be just as bad for people or even more dangerous. Electronic cigarettes are as addictive as regular cigarettes and many e-cigarette users get even more nicotine from vaping than from tobacco. Vaping products may contain fewer toxic chemicals than traditional cigarettes, but there have been many lung injuries and deaths associated with vaping.
While those who used vaping as a way to stop smoking may have transitioned from regular tobacco use, there have been many unfortunate and unintended consequences of vaping including the fact that vaping became trendy among young people. A study conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) revealed that 20% of high school students reported they tried vaping or used eCigarettes regularly in 2018, and 5% of middle school students had tried vaping.
In addition to general health concerns related to vaping unknown amounts of addictive nicotine for adults and young people, dentists are now worried about the potentially adverse effects of vaping on oral health. In this blog, we’ll walk through the ways that vaping impacts oral health and how to protect yourself and your teens from the oral health concerns related to vaping.
How Does Vaping Impact Oral Health?
There are many ways that vaping impacts oral health, and while many people still think of vaping as better for your teeth than smoking or chewing tobacco, it may actually lead to just as many oral health concerns. Some of the ways that vaping impacts oral health include:
- Gum health – Nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces circulation. Reduced circulation to gum tissues reduces their healing capabilities, putting you at a higher risk for periodontal disease.
- Discoloration – vaping, just like smoking, introduces nicotine to teeth, which can lead to discoloration and staining, leaving your smile looking dingy.
- Dry mouth – saliva helps to neutralize acidic bacteria and plaque in the mouth, but vaping reduces saliva in the mouth, exposing teeth to increased risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
- Bacteria – vaping can actually introduce greater amounts of harmful types of bacteria to the mouth, which can lead to weakened tooth enamel and higher risk for gum disease.
Can I Protect My Oral Health from the Negative Impacts of Vaping?
The best and most important way to protect your oral health from the negative impacts of vaping is to stop vaping. If you’re struggling with kicking an addictive nicotine habit, you should seek professional help. Also, take special care to brush teeth thoroughly at least two times each day, floss at least once each day, and visit your dentist twice a year for dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings. If you develop gum disease, your dentist may recommend more frequent professional teeth cleanings. You can also increase saliva production and reduce the urge to vape by chewing sugar-free gum.
Meet the McCarl Dental Group Team
Vaping can negatively impact your smile and even more important, your overall health. The dentists in Greenbelt, MD at the McCarl Dental Group can partner with you to improve your oral health and maintain a healthy smile. Our dentists focus each patient’s personalized dental care plan on prevention. We also provide a wide array of restorative and cosmetic dentistry solutions to recreate healthy, beautiful smiles. When you’re ready to learn more about keeping your smile healthy, contact your dentist in Greenbelt, MD and the McCarl Dental Group team.