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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Alice Charland Bassford, DMD, MAGD
Vaping and Your Oral Health
ASE Dental
. http://www.silverspringdmd.com/

Vaping and Your Oral Health

Vaping means using an electronic cigarette (also known as an e-cigarette) or other vaping device. Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices with a metal heating element inside that vaporizes a solution containing a mixture of chemicals, including nicotine, natural flavors and other additives.

E-cigarettes deliver nicotine through a liquid (called juice, or e-juice), which turns into a vapor when using the devices. The liquid comes in flavors, such as mint, fruit, and bubble gum, which often appeal to teenagers.

Many people believe that the liquid used in vaping only contains water and flavoring and are unaware that it contains nicotine. Therefore, they may think vaping is less dangerous than using other tobacco products, such as cigarettes. However, though not always the case, the amount of nicotine in the liquid can be the same or even more than the amount found in cigarettes.

You might have heard about vaping recently in the news, and already know that it comes with many health risks, including an increased risk for having a seizure or developing heart disease. In fact, the CDC and other clinical and public health partners are investigating a multistate outbreak of lung disease associated with e-cigarette use. According to the CDC there are 380 cases of lung illness in the U.S, and seven deaths have been reported. All reported cases have a history of vaping.

Some dentists have started to notice a troubling trend among their patients who use e-cigarettes – they often experience significant tooth decay. While this doesn’t definitively prove vaping makes your teeth rot, the idea that e-cigarettes could be bad for your oral health should not be dismissed.

Most experts agree that although e-cigarettes generally contain fewer toxins than tobacco cigarettes, that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Two of the most common ingredients in e-cigarettes are propylene glycol and nicotine.

Propylene glycolis is recognized as safe by the FDA for ingestion, but little is known about the health affects of inhaling it. Some evidence shows that it can lead to dry mouth, and chronic dry mouth can lead to cavities and gum disease. Propylene glycolis also contains properties that could potentially deteriorate tooth enamel and soft tissues.

The potential effect of nicotine on gums is well-known thanks to cigarette research, and although e-cigarettes generally contain less nicotine than tobacco cigarettes, there’s substantial evidence it can have the same effect: decreased blood flow and cellular turnover, which can increase your risk of gum disease and tooth loss.

Unfortunately vaping is a new problem that hasn’t been studied as extensively as cigarette smoking, so it’s hard to say how bad the problem really is.

What we do know, is that if you’re fond of your smile and want to keep it intact, the best thing you can do is kick cigarette smoking and vaping to the curb. Whether you quit or continue smoking/vaping, be sure to follow proper dental care guidelines to minimize your risk of developing dental issues:

  • Brush with a toothpaste which contains fluoride
  • Clean between your teeth by flossing
  • Avoid dry mouth – drink plenty of water and avoid sugary drinks or bottled beverages
  • See your dentist every six months for a check-up and cleaning

Smile and be kind – it’s good for your health and others.

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