Vaping and the Effects on Your Dental Health

Whether you’re vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes or vaping for recreational enjoyment, knowing the effects of vaping on your teeth and gums is very important. Dental experts agree that although vape pens and e-cigarettes contain fewer toxins than cigarettes, vaping can have a negative effect on your teeth, gums, and overall oral health. However, Carolina’s Dental Choice can ensure you’re on the right track to maintain a happy, healthy smile.

What’s the problem?

Vaping has hit major headlines in the past year due to outbreak of lung related injuries, bringing to attention the potential dangers of vaping and e-cigarettes. On a national level, vaping related respiratory illnesses have prompted the federal government and some state legislatures to respond with policies.

The overall safety and long-term effects of vaping products and e-cigarettes are still not well known, although studies are ongoing. Federal and state health authorities began investigating the outbreak of severe lung disease associated with e-cigarettes and vaping products back in September 2019.

Young Americans (under 30) are less likely to perceive vaping as harmful.

Vape companies market mainly to teens and young adults, from ad campaigns, influencers, and the flavoring of their products. Vape companies refer to the liquid inside the vape pen as “juice.” They come in all sorts of flavors, like cotton candy, cakes, or fruity flavors. Inhale some juice, release some nice tasting and smelling vapor. Sounds pretty good, right?

Well, it’s rather misleading. The liquid in vape pens isn’t just flavored air or water vapor—it’s actually a mixture of highly addictive nicotine and potentially harmful chemicals, mixed alongside other additives that can cause damage to your body—and especially to your oral health. This marketing has lead to a direct explosion of vaping among kids; vaping in high school students has increased 78%, and 49% in middle school students. In a 2013-2014 survey, 81% of young e-cigarette users cited the availability of flavors as the primary reason for use.

What can vaping do to your teeth?

At a glance, research has suggested vaping can effect your oral health in the following ways:

· Excess bacteria

· Dry mouth

· Inflamed gums

· Irritation

· Cell damage in oral tissue

· Gum disease

What is harmful in vape pens and e-cigarettes?

The three most common ingredients in e-cigarettes and vape pens are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine. Propylene glycol is a liquid alcohol used in flavoring ingredients, and breaks down into acetic acid, lactic acid, and propionaldehyde. Propylene glycol can lead to dry mouth, deterioration of tooth enamel, and soft tissues. When these issues become chronic, they can cause cavities and gum disease.

Vegetable glycerin is a solvent and sweetener, which increases microbial adhesion to enamel and increases biofilm formation, basically allowing more cavity-causing bacteria to stick to a softer tooth and increase decay.

The nicotine in a vape cartridge (0.3%-1.8%) is much lower than a traditional tobacco product, however, one cartridge at 200-400 puffs can equal the smoking of two to three packs of cigarettes. Vape users, especially those who are younger and partaking recreationally in peer situations may not understand how much nicotine they’re really consuming. Nicotine has been proven to affect gingival blood flow, cell function, and the development of gum disease and tooth loss.

Can vaping cause tooth decay? 

Research has shown teeth that are exposed to vaping aerosol with propylene glycerol (flavoring) and vegetable glycerin carry four times more bacteria than teeth that have not been exposed.

Does the nicotine from vaping stain your teeth?

It can stain your teeth, but not as badly as smoking cigarettes. Vaping stains teeth worse if it contains tar or coloring, whereas teeth darkening from cigarettes are from tar and ash. The nicotine in vape juice and other e-cigarettes can still give teeth a yellow tinge. Nicotine, in turn, limits the blood flow to your oral tissues, which can lead to tooth decay, receding gums, and increased risk of gum disease, dry mouth, and bad breath.

Can dentists tell if you vape or not?  

It’s tricky for a dentist to find lasting effects from vaping on your teeth, but the main issue with vaping tends to be dry mouth and tooth decay, which your dentist can notice. Your dentist will ask about your current consumption of tobacco products, and it’s important to be honest and upfront.

Worry less about whether your dentist can tell if you smoke or not; don’t avoid regular dental care or being open with your dentist for fear of vape-shaming or guilt-trips into quitting smoking; we guarantee that is not what your oral health consultation is about. Your dentist wants to provide a professional opinion on the state of your oral health, make recommendations for preventative care, and ensure long-lasting healthy teeth.

How can Carolina’s Dental Choice help? 

Dental professionals are concerned that because young people do not show up to dental offices as often, it’s difficult to ascertain how bad the vaping problem is affecting young people’s oral hygiene.

With the early research in and professionals giving warnings now, the best way to keep your smile intact is to kick vaping to the curb, and avoid e-cigarettes and smoking. However, if you are going to vape, then your dental hygiene needs to be impeccable.

• Use fluoride toothpaste. Brushing too soon after consuming an acidic product can weaken the enamel of your teeth. To be cautious, we recommend waiting 20 minutes after vaping to brush your teeth.
• Clean between your teeth and floss daily. For those who have smoked or vape longer and have more space between their teeth and gums, an oral irrigator is a great investment to ensure a deep clean.
• Avoid dry mouth. Stay hydrated by carrying around a bottle of water (avoid all sugary drinks), or use a mouth spray containing xylitol, which stimulates saliva production.
• Look out for symptoms of declining oral health. Red, bleeding or receding gums, white spots on your teeth, patches on your gums, or oral thrust should all immediately be brought to your dentist’s attention.
• See your dentist more often. If you typically go once a year, increase your visits to every four to six months, which can really make the difference in finding cavities and minimizing the development of dental issues.

Carolina’s Dental Choice is here to help you achieve and maintain your best and healthiest smile. Consult your dentist today at (704) 289-9519 regarding any questions you might have about your oral health goals and care plans.