What Does Vaping Do To Your Teeth?

Vaping is a form of e-cigarette that was first introduced as a safe and helpful way for smokers to quit their nicotine habit. However, many questions are being raised about its safety. It has become clear that vaping is harmful to your oral health, and it is also probably linked to severe heart and respiratory problems.

What Is Vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor released by a vaping device. Many devices produce these vapors, including vapes, electronic cigarettes, and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The latest vaping devices resemble smartwatches, hoodies, or other similar items.

A vape device consists of a battery, mouthpiece, heating component, and cartridge for the e-liquid. The battery fuels the heating component when a vape is smoked, turning the e-liquid into an aerosol. This vapor is then inhaled and exhaled. The liquid is composed of flavors, chemicals, and sometimes nicotine. The toxic chemicals of the liquid are increasingly being believed to cause respiratory and cardiac problems.

Oral Health Effects of Vaping

Vaping can pose many threats to your oral health. These include:

Gum Disease

When smoking, nicotine in cigarettes and e-cigarettes causes the gum tissue to recede by narrowing the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the gums. This leads to a condition called periodontitis, in which bacteria reaches the roots, causing gum disease and, eventually, tooth loss. Without the support of tooth roots, teeth loosen and have to be removed. What's more, research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a direct correlation between tobacco use and pancreatic cancer.

The long-term effects of vaping are still being studied, but initial findings show the same risks as smoking. Like cigarette smokers and e-cigarette users, vape users can experience bad breath, dry mouth, oral sores, stained teeth, and tooth decay. A study conducted by Queen Mary University of London found nearly 10 percent of adults have tried e-cigarettes, so it's important to understand the potential oral health effects associated with e-cigarette use. If you smoke or use e-cigarettes and experience symptoms like sore or bleeding gums, call your dentist. They can provide recommendations for quitting that support both your oral and overall health.

Bad Breath

Although vaping doesn't cause bad breath, it can contribute to the problem. When vaping, you inhale an aerosol steam that contains flavored nicotine and vegetable glycerine. This can cause dry mouth, and that can directly contribute to bad breath. Additionally, the carcinogens in smoke can irritate your mouth and cause sores that can become infected. And, just like cigarettes, vaping can damage your gum tissue and lead to tooth loss.

Dry Mouth

If you experience dry mouth when you vape, that means you have xerostomia – a condition that's very common with smoking in general. Because vaping exposes you to chemicals like glycerine, you are at greater risk of developing oral cancer and other oral diseases. It's important to practice good oral hygiene by brushing twice a day and flossing daily in order to keep bacteria from building up in your mouth. And if you notice that your breath is particularly bad after vaping, make sure you're drinking plenty of water every day. Water will keep your body hydrated and help restore moisture to your mouth. 

Tooth Discoloration

It's common for vaping users to notice that their teeth are discolored, especially where the e-cigarette device is held in the mouth. This is likely due to the nicotine and tar found in e-cigarettes. Nicotine causes yellow stains on the teeth, and tar is dark in color. Over time, this can cause the teeth to look dirty or dingy. Additionally, if the teeth aren't brushed regularly after vaping, plaque buildup can lead to tooth discoloration as well. The best way to alleviate this is to brush your teeth as soon as you finish your vape session. This will help prevent any long-term staining of the teeth.

The chemicals in cigarettes can also break down the enamel on your teeth. This can make teeth appear frail and yellow in color. Enamel is the protective outer layer of a tooth, and if it wears down, it can make it more prone to sensitivity and decay. By quitting smoking and using vapor instead, you'll help promote better oral health.

Does Vaping Stain Teeth?

Advertisers promote vaping to be a healthier alternative to smoking or marijuana. But there are still many health benefits connected to vaping. Luckily, one of the positive factors about vaping is that it does not stain teeth or cause bad breath. On the other hand, smoking cigarettes leads to yellowed and discolored teeth. 

Can Chemicals in Vapes Cause Oral Cancer?

Studies indicate that vaping can cause oral cancer. The chemicals in vaping products, such as formaldehyde, methylglyoxal, and acrolein, are carcinogenic and can alter a person's DNA. The aerosol components in the vapors are linked to an increased possibility of developing cancer.

Some Use Vaping To Quit Smoking. Does It Work?

The short answer here is no.

When people vape, they work to heat e-liquids to the point of vaporization – this produces vapor. That vapor is then inhaled by the user. There have been anecdotal studies suggesting that some smokers use e-cigarettes to help them stop smoking, though there is little scientific evidence to back up this claim.

Studies have found that the chemicals in e-liquids may be dangerous to users' health. Those chemicals include nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance. Nicotine can also harm the lungs if consumed through vaping. Also, many e-liquids contain other harmful ingredients, such as formaldehyde, propylene glycol, diacetyl, acrolein, and hydroquinone. For those reasons, the American Dental Association advises against the practice, and the Academy of General Dentistry states that it's generally not safe to inhale those substances.

Recommended Oral Hygiene for Vapers

A hydrated mouth will keep your mouth from becoming dry and help you maintain your dental health. In addition, brushing and flossing twice a day can be a positive step in minimizing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disorders.

Regular visits to your dentists once every six months will help ensure your oral health is in peak condition. As a precautionary measure, undergo screening for oral cancer to check for lesions or inflammation on your tongue, gums, or other areas in your mouth.

If you are worried about vaping and its effects on oral health or notice changes in your mouth, visit our office, Arden Dental Care, at 1832 Avondale Ave Ste 1, Sacramento, CA 95825. You can also reach us at (916) 481-2001.