The Harmful Effects of Vaping on Your Smile

May 2022





The biggest danger of e-cigarettes to your oral health? TBD.

Vaping is a relatively recent phenomenon, and long-term studies about its potential health risks do not exist yet. Is it truly a “safer, healthier” alternative to smoking cigarettes or cigars and pipes, as many believe?

Google the question, and you’ll find contradictory findings. You will definitely find lots of red flags about e-cigarettes, indicating that vaping is not just blowing smoke.

In fact, e-cigarettes contain many of the same harmful substances as cigarettes and then some. And not only do they present potential dangers to your heart and lungs, but they also inflict damage right where they enter your body: your mouth.

How Vaping Harms Your Oral Health

• Vaping raises your risk for gum (periodontal) disease. Nicotine, one of the toxic chemicals of the inhaled vapor or aerosol, reduces blood flow to your gums and causes dry mouth. Both conditions increase your risk of gum disease. This chronic bacterial infection can destroy the tissue and the bone that hold your teeth, resulting in eventual tooth loss.
  
  

  Additional chemicals contained in the fluids of e-cigarettes, such as glycol, benzene, formaldehyde and others, heighten the risk even more. 

• Vaping diminishes your oral tissue’s ability to heal. E-cigarettes stress the good bacteria that live in your mouth to fight off infections. Without enough healthy bacteria, inflammations and recovery from dental treatments such as tooth removal will take longer to heal and cause more pain.
• Vaping can cause tooth decay. When propylene glycol (PG), one of the main ingredients in vape juice, is used orally, it breaks down into acids that damage tooth enamel and irritate soft tissue. Nicotine, a highly sticky substance, covers the surfaces of your teeth. It practically “glues plaque and stains to your pearly whites. Plaque produces acids that attack your tooth enamel. Weakened or damaged tooth enamel can no longer protect the interior tooth pulp, and cavities are likely to develop.
• Vaping increases your risk for mouth cancer. The vapors can alter or damage the lining of your gums and other oral tissues, possibly leading to oral ulcers and oral cancer.

Watch for these symptoms that could indicate oral cancer and discuss them with your dentist:

• Sores that last longer than 2 weeks
• Swelling, growths or lumps anywhere in or near your mouth or neck
• White or red patches in your mouth or on your lips
• Repeated bleeding from the mouth or throat
• Difficulty swallowing or persistent hoarseness

The Link Between Vaping and Rise in Adolescent Gum Disease

Anecdotal evidence suggests a link between vaping and a rise in adolescent gum disease, although official research findings are not yet available. But some dentists report treating increasing numbers of adolescents for periodontal disease even though the condition usually is more prevalent among adults. When asked, the young patients often acknowledge a vaping habit.

Can Your Dentist Tell You’re Vaping?

If you’re trying to hide your vaping, you probably won’t fool your dentist. They can spot the dry mouth and diagnose the early (or advanced, depending on your last visit) stages of tooth decay and gum disease. They will also be able to detect sores, unusual white or red blotches and lumps and swellings. 

When asked about any of this, you’ll want to come clean. In fact, your dentist may be your strongest ally if you want to kick your nicotine habit. They can advise you on the changes you can make to maintain or improve your oral health and recommend resources to help you quit vaping. 

Smile With Delta Dental Insurance

Serving as the champions of your smile has been the mission of Delta Dental of Arkansas since 1982. We provide dental (and vision) insurance to 

• businesses as part of their employee benefits and
• individuals and families who need coverage.