How Could My Vaping Habits Be Harming My Oral Health?

Although vaping is medically safer than smoking, you’re not quite off the hook. Contrary to the belief that vaping is a healthy alternative to smoking for your oral health, it can actually still cause you a considerable amount of harm. Read on to discover the potential effects of vaping on your oral health and hygiene.

Dry mouth

Oral dryness is one of the most commonly reported side effects from e-cigarette use. It has been suggested that this is due to the water-binding effects of the ingredient propylene glycol. Some doctors and dentists have suggested this could be a route into higher caries risk - after all, when the mouth becomes dry, saliva is not produced. Saliva works to wash away bacteria and other harmful substances and keep teeth and overall oral hygiene protected. When dry mouth is not avoided while vaping, it puts the individual at an increased risk of developing tooth decay as well.

Tooth decay

A recent study found that regular vaping has been linked to an increased risk of tooth decay. While the exact link between vaping and dental decay is unknown, some have suggested that the sugar-filled content of vaping liquid sticks to the teeth after it is inhaled. Additionally, vaping weakens your tooth enamel - when sweeteners and acids in sweet vaping aerosoles come into contact with your teeth, enamel hardness will decrease substantially.

Gum disease

While not as dangerous as smoking, vaping exposes your gums to both nicotine and hot, drying vapour. It therefore also puts you at a higher risk of gum disease than someone who does not vape or smoke.

Furthermore, nicotine masks the early warning signs of gum disease (swelling and bleeding when you brush). This is bad because it can make you think your gums are healthy when in reality they are not.

Inflamed gums

A common side effect of vaping is gum swelling and inflammation. Users have reported increased pain and sensitivity in their gums, which can essentially lead to periodontal disease and other very serious oral hygiene concerns if left untreated.

Tooth grinding

Nicotine is a stimulant and can promote tooth grinding. Tooth grinding slowly wears away tooth enamel, which makes your teeth more susceptible to chips, cracks and cavities.

Bad breath

A potential side effect of vaping on a daily basis is bad breath, especially for others around the one vaping. While the scent of vaping usually smells somewhat pleasant, this disguises the impact of the nicotine in e-cigarettes - this can cause bad breath.

If you’re worried about the impact of vaping on your oral hygiene, get in touch with Dr Rez. We value everyday general dentistry care just as highly as cosmetic dentistry. General dentistry is oriented towards the prevention of dental problems, where we place a great emphasis on dental hygiene services that eradicate problems before they cause discomfort. Contact us today to find out more about our services.