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EFFECT OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES ON TEETH

The use of electronic cigarettes or vaping has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It is becoming more and more frequent and particularly popular among teenagers and conventional smokers.

Is vaping a healthy alternative to conventional tobacco?

The oral health consequences of conventional smoking are well established. In contrast, the impact of e-cigarettes on oral health is still unclear.

It is well known that tobacco stains teeth, causes gum disease and thus possible tooth loss and is a major contributor to oral cancer.

Does electronic cigarettes damage teeth and gums?

Nicotine and gums

There is a common myth that e-cigarettes are better than smoking tobacco. However, vaping still involves delivering nicotine to the body, and nicotine affects, among many other things, the gums. Nicotine causes vasoconstriction, which means that the gum receives a poorer blood supply. This makes the gums more susceptible to infection and can cause gum recession.

Vaping uses an aerosol or vapor as a delivery system for nicotine, which has the same negative impact on oral health, regardless of how it is consumed.

While e-cigarettes contain much less nicotine than traditional tobacco products, they still have a negative effect on gums. Even without nicotine, other ingredients included in e-cigarettes can deteriorate oral health. Some potential complications of vaping and nicotine use include receding gums, dry mouth, tooth sensitivity, bad breath, development of tooth decay and gum disease, as well as the possibility of oral cancer.

Plopylene glycol

One of the main ingredients, besides nicotine, is propylene glycol, which is safe to eat and inhale, but when used orally it breaks down into acids that damage enamel and irritate soft tissues. It also causes dry mouth, as it eliminates essential saliva, leading to tooth decay and gum disease.

Drinking water can help rehydrate the mouth, but it is not a replacement for saliva, which contains compounds that help protect teeth from damage by Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Studies have shown that switching from conventional tobacco to e-cigarettes can mitigate oral symptoms in conventional smokers. Even so, there have been findings suggesting that a wide range of oral health sequelae may be associated with e-cigarettes. In fact, given that traditional tobacco products do not contain propylene glycol, at this point vaping would be worse for oral health than conventional tobacco.

On the other hand, anything that exposes the gums directly to heat and nicotine will make you more prone to developing gum disease and losing your teeth.

Does vaping stain teeth?

In relation to tooth staining, theoretically, vaping should have a minor effect.

Conventional cigarettes turn teeth yellow and brown, due not only to the nicotine, but also to the tar they contain.

E-cigarettes do not contain tar, but they do contain nicotine. Nicotine itself is colorless, but turns light yellow when exposed to oxygen.

Therefore, long-term vaping may well, at least in theory, also stain teeth.

Tips

Due to the adverse effects that both tobacco and electronic cigarettes are seen to generate. The ideal would be not to use or consume them. However, if this is not possible, the thing to do is to take care of our teeth, which can help reduce the risk of side effects.

It is important to limit nicotine intake. Opting for low-nicotine or nicotine-free liquids can help limit its negative effects on teeth and gums.

Drinking water after vaping prevents dry mouth and bad breath by rehydrating the mouth after vaping.

Brush your teeth two to three times a day. Brushing helps remove plaque, which helps prevent cavities and promotes overall gum health.

Flossing. Like brushing, flossing helps remove plaque from areas that brushing does not reach and promotes healthy gums.

Visit the dentist regularly. If you can, visit a dentist at least once a year for a cleaning and checkup. Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule will help in the early detection and treatment of any underlying conditions.

Remember that at Nakeji Dental you can schedule your appointment at no cost, our experts are available 365 days a year. In addition, we have two clinics in the city for your benefit.
What are you waiting for? It's time to regain confidence in your smile.