Vaping was once thought to be a safer alternative to smoking traditional cigarettes. In just the few years after the Juul brand of e-cigarettes was introduced in 2015, its market share grew quickly and spawned the introduction of many copycat products. Now, many people are questioning its safety – Can vaping ruin your teeth?
Traditional Cigarettes versus Vaping
One of the telltale signs of smoking traditional cigarettes the smoke it produces as the tobacco burns. Vaping seems less dangerous because it uses an aerosol vapor (hence the name) instead to deliver nicotine to the lungs.
Recent news headlines tell a different story and have focused national attention on the dangers of vaping to the lungs. Serious respiratory illness has put people in the hospital with life threatening ailments. (Learn more about Oral Health and Respiratory Disease). Scientists have yet to pinpoint the exact ingredient in e-cigarettes that cause damaging effects, but vitamin E acetate is a likely culprit.
Vaping & Its Effects On Oral Health
What about the risk to your oral health? Can vaping ruin your teeth?
Because e-cigarettes contain nicotine, the answer is, yes, vaping can ruin your teeth.
Nicotine is a highly addictive chemical that is both a stimulant and a sedative. The initial exposure to nicotine stimulates the adrenal glands, which in turn release adrenaline causing an increase in heart rate, breathing rate and blood pressure.
Indirectly, more dopamine is also released after ingesting nicotine, which produces a pleasurable sensation.
Physical reactions which affect oral health include dry mouth, indigestion/heartburn, possible blood restriction and increased blood pressure.
As a result, people who vape may experience:
- Receding gums and gum disease caused by lack of blood flow, which limits oxygen delivery to gum tissue.
- Tooth decay caused by a lack of natural saliva production, which washes away harmful bacteria, and stomach acid that enters the mouth as reflux during bouts with indigestion and heartburn.
- Sensitivity of teeth caused by the effects of gum disease and tooth decay.
If you have had cosmetic dentistry services, smoking with dental implants is still harmful even though the replacement teeth are made from manmade materials.
Bottom Line
Whether we like it or not, vaping is bad for our overall health, including your oral health. The best option is to quit. If you’re working on dropping the bad habit, make sure to stay on top of your oral hygiene routine to keep teeth and gums healthy.
If you’re looking for a local dentist in the area for a consultation about how vaping has affected your teeth, call Shorewood Family Dental Care (rated one of the best Joliet cosmetic dentists) at 815-725-5991 or book an appointment online.
