Key takeaways:
Vaping exposes you to nicotine and other harmful chemicals that contribute to tooth decay, enamel erosion, and gum disease. It has also been linked to an increased risk of oral cancer.
This smoking alternative may cause dry mouth, bad breath, and tooth discoloration.
Quitting is the best option for your oral health. In the meantime, practicing good oral hygiene can help reduce the damage caused by vaping.
Vaping has surged in popularity over the past decade. It’s often marketed as a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. But vaping has many of the same risks. And it has been linked to respiratory problems and lung damage.
Like smoking cigarettes, vaping can also take a toll on your oral health. Learn how vaping harms your teeth and gums and what you can do to lessen the damage.
Why is vaping bad for your teeth?
Vaping may seem like a harmless habit with its rise in popularity in recent years. Unfortunately, it has major consequences for your oral health.
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The complex mixture of ingredients that makes vaping addictive also makes it damaging to your teeth and gums. Popular ingredients in vapes, like nicotine, may increase your risk of the following oral health problems.
Enamel erosion and tooth decay
Tooth decay is one of the biggest oral health consequences of vaping, which has been linked to an increased risk of developing cavities. This may be due to an ingredient in vape juice called vegetable glycerin (VG). This thick, sticky liquid sweetens vape juice and binds its ingredients together. When combined with other additives, VG creates a recipe for enamel erosion and tooth decay.
When inhaled, your teeth get coated by a thin layer of vape juice. The sticky coating makes it easier for cavity-causing bacteria to adhere to your teeth. Bacteria from VG and flavored additives in vape juice produce acids that can break down the enamel layer of your teeth.
Propylene glycol (PG), another common vape ingredient, also contributes to enamel erosion. PG acts as a carrier for nicotine and other elements in vape juice. But it breaks down into acidic byproducts when consumed orally. This causes "acid attacks" in your mouth that weaken your enamel. Without this protective top layer, your teeth become more susceptible to cavities.
Gum disease
Nicotine, the addictive substance in vapes, increases your risk of gum disease. Regular nicotine use reduces blood flow to your gums and weakens your immune system. As a result, your gums get less oxygen and fewer nutrients, making it harder to fight bacteria and heal from infection.
According to one study, vaping disturbs the oral microbiome — a collection of bacteria that keep your mouth healthy. Researchers found that vaping promotes harmful bacteria that cause gum disease. While vape users had better oral health than cigarette smokers, they had worse outcomes than nonsmokers.
Can you get lung cancer if you only vape? Yes. Vaping has many of the same risks as smoking. Here’s what you need to know.
Trying to quit vaping? These tips and treatments can help.
Nicotine-replacement products can help you quit smoking. Consider FDA-approved options that are safer than vaping.
Tooth discoloration
Vaping can cause tooth discoloration, dulling the brightness of your smile. The enamel — the top layer of your tooth — is the main entry point for stain-causing pigments from food, drinks, and vape products.
Prolonged exposure to certain vape ingredients like nicotine, vegetable glycerin, and propylene glycol can make the enamel layer more porous. This means the holes in this layer get larger, allowing more staining pigments to enter and stay.
Vapes may cause less staining than traditional cigarettes. But they can still discolor your teeth, fillings, crowns, and other dental restorations. Without proper oral hygiene, this discoloration will worsen over time.
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Are there other oral health risks associated with vaping?
The risks of vaping go beyond your teeth and gums. It can also affect everything from your saliva to your breath.
Dry mouth
Propylene glycol and many other e-liquid ingredients act as humectants. When vaporized and inhaled, they draw moisture from the tissues in your mouth and throat, which may cause dry mouth. This condition occurs when your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva. Without enough saliva, the risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and other health concerns increases.
Mouth sores
Vaping can irritate the delicate inner lining of your mouth by stripping away its natural moisture. This, combined with impaired healing caused by nicotine, can increase the likelihood of mouth sores or ulcers. Additionally, heat from e-cigarette vapors can cause minor burns to the lining of your cheeks and lips.
Bad breath
A combination of factors can cause bad breath in people who vape.
Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria that cause bad breath. Unfortunately, the dehydrating ingredients in vape juice reduce saliva production. This creates a dry environment in your mouth, allowing odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
The chemicals inhaled while vaping can also disrupt the natural balance of healthy bacteria in your mouth. They tend to leave a sticky residue on your teeth, gums, and tongue. As a result, bacteria that cause bad breath can build up.
Oral cancer
Vaping is marketed as a safer alternative to smoking. While vapes may have fewer toxins than conventional cigarettes, they still contain cancer-causing substances. Examples include formaldehyde, nitrosamines, and metals. These substances, and many others, can damage oral cells and DNA.
Nicotine, another common ingredient in most vape liquids, further reduces your body’s ability to repair damage. This harmful effect increases the risk of oral cancer.
Tips to maintain good oral health while vaping
It’s important to take care of your oral health, whether you vape, are trying to cut back, or plan to quit. While quitting is the best way to protect your oral health, making this change takes time. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the harmful effects of vaping. Here are some practical tips to safeguard your oral health while vaping:
Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day.
Floss at least once a day.
Stay hydrated by drinking water regularly.
Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and checkups.
Rinse your mouth with water or alcohol-free fluoride mouthwash after vaping.
Use a mouthwash that stimulates saliva production if you have dry mouth.
Reduce the use of flavored vapes that can erode enamel.
Limit sugary and acidic foods and drinks.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, dentists usually notice that you vape or smoke traditional cigarettes. They may see signs such as plaque buildup, inflamed gums, tooth discoloration, and dry mouth.
Yes, your gums can heal if you stop vaping. When you quit, your body eventually regains essential nutrients to repair damaged gum tissue. Severe cases of gum disease may require professional deep cleanings or gum surgery to see improvement.
Vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking because vapes have fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes. But both practices are harmful to your health. Smoking and vaping have been linked to increased cancer risk, heart and lung problems, and oral health issues like tooth decay.
Yes, dentists usually notice that you vape or smoke traditional cigarettes. They may see signs such as plaque buildup, inflamed gums, tooth discoloration, and dry mouth.
Yes, your gums can heal if you stop vaping. When you quit, your body eventually regains essential nutrients to repair damaged gum tissue. Severe cases of gum disease may require professional deep cleanings or gum surgery to see improvement.
Vaping is generally considered less harmful than smoking because vapes have fewer toxins than traditional cigarettes. But both practices are harmful to your health. Smoking and vaping have been linked to increased cancer risk, heart and lung problems, and oral health issues like tooth decay.
The bottom line
Exposure to the chemicals in e-cigarettes can have a significant and lasting impact on your oral health. Vaping is bad for your teeth and gums, potentially causing decay, discoloration, and gum disease. Quitting is the best way to protect your smile. But practicing good oral hygiene can help minimize the damage along the way.
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References
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