Is vaping bad for your teeth? It’s a question many Australians have asked themselves recently. Many individuals insist vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, so they do it to relax, lower their stress levels, and socialise with their friends.
Contrary to popular belief, dental experts disagree on the safety of vaping. While many believe it’s a safer alternative to smoking, studies have shown that vaping not only affects your lungs and heart, but also your teeth and oral health. The emphasis on cardiovascular and respiratory risks should not overshadow its potential harm to your teeth.
Does vaping affect your teeth? Yes, it does. As a trusted Annerley dentist with over thirty years of extensive industry experience, we encourage you to consider vaping’s potential consequences on your teeth.
This blog will delve into the various ways in which vaping affects your teeth, empowering you to make informed lifestyle choices and maintain excellent, long-term dental health.
Excessive Bacterial Buildup
Whenever an individual draws air through a vaporiser’s mouthpiece, its heating coils intensify and release aerosolised particles, including nicotine, diacetyl, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals.
This combination passes through the user’s oral cavity before reaching his lungs, allowing some of the aerosolised particles to latch onto the teeth and soft mouth tissues. Consequently, it encourages bacterial growth and boosts the risks of cavities, gingivitis, and other dental health issues.
Studies have shown that vape users double the risk of these dental health concerns, unaware of bacterial proliferation in their oral health cavities.
Mouth Burns
High temperatures convert the electronic liquid (e-liquid) inside vapes into vapour. However, this process can compromise sensitive oral cavity issues, leading to mouth and tongue burns whenever the user inhales forcefully. This consequence is similar to an individual scalding his mouth when he consumes hot liquid or food.
Modern vaping devices feature adjustable power settings that produce hot vapour and may cause mouth burns. For this reason alone, avoiding vaping is the best strategy to ensure long-term oral health.
Tooth Discolouration
Does vaping make your teeth yellow? Unfortunately, it does.
Using vaporizers discolours the outer layer of tooth enamel (extrinsic discolouration). When nicotine present in vape juice combines with oxygen, tar, and water, it creates tar-like particles that latch onto your teeth’s enamel and discolour it. The staining typically ranges from yellowish to brownish, depending on the frequency and duration of vaping.
Cavities and Periodontal Disease
Yellowish teeth are merely the beginning of vaping’s harmful effects. This disorder can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease.
Regular saliva production helps maintain optimal oral microbiome health. Unfortunately, vaping decreases saliva production, which can encourage plaque accumulation. But remember, this is a preventable issue. If left unchecked, plaque can escalate into tartar, tooth decay, or gum disease.
Receding teeth and gums reveal black dots on the vaper’s teeth and trigger a metallic taste in his mouth, exacerbated by halitosis (bad breath).
If you’re a person with diabetes who vapes, you significantly increase gum disease risk because you compromise saliva production more than non-diabetics. While tooth decay is easily treatable in its early stages, gum disease can be challenging to manage. Severe cases can lead to gum inflammation and bone loss.
Mouth Cancer
As trusted Brisbane invisible aligners with a proven track record of treating numerous dental patients in Southeast Queensland, we strongly discourage you from considering e-cigarettes and vaping. Studies have theorised that even occasional use can cause mouth cancer, debunking the myth that vaping and e-cigarettes are safer than conventional smoking.
Despite having lower formaldehyde, heavy metal, toluene, and particulate matter than their traditional counterparts, vapes and e-cigarettes can still damage your teeth. Formaldehyde is a carcinogen that can proliferate in your oral cavity when the vaporiser’s coil overheats.
These toxic compounds adhere to the gums’ epithelial cells, thereby increasing the risk of oral cancer. For this reason, please avoid vaping and e-cigarettes at all costs.
Enhanced Vulnerability to Oral Infections
Vaping makes users prone to several infections, including Candida yeast overgrowth, leading to oral thrush. Many disposable vapes contain 20 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL of nicotine. On the other hand, some large versions can contain up to 1,000 mg (1 g) of nicotine, which is equal to at least 50 cigarettes.
Nicotine produces several adverse effects on the oral microbiome, including the following:
- Nicotine impairs blood, oxygen, and nutrient delivery to the mouth tissues, significantly hindering their ability to fight bacterial growth.
- Reduced blood flow can lead to inflammation, which can damage the gums.
- Since vaporisers contain nicotine, they reduce saliva production and make oral bacteria decontamination less effective.
- Unfortunately, many individuals don’t sanitise their vapes and e-cigarettes properly, leaving bacterial and germ residue. Severe cases can lead to acute stomatitis, a condition characterised by patients experiencing painful, swollen gums.
Dental Care Practices for Vapers
We highly encourage vapers and e-cigarette users to consider drastically reducing their use or quitting altogether. Set small goals, such as minimising daily vape sessions and attending nicotine replacement therapies or support groups. Asking other individuals to hold you accountable will strengthen your resolve to quit vaping.
On the other hand, you can protect your teeth while vaping by practising good oral hygiene, including daily brushing, flossing, and gargling with an antibacterial mouthwash. These daily habits will help minimise the harmful effects of vaping on your pearly whites.
Nicotine from vaping can significantly minimise saliva production. You can neutralise this side effect by hydrating and drinking plenty of water, which helps moisten your mouth and improve oral health.
Finally, please remember that brushing and flossing aren’t enough. We highly recommend scheduling check-ups with your dental practitioner every six months. This strategy ensures healthy teeth, optimal dental health, and long-term peace of mind. Regular check-ups are your best defense against the potential risks of vaping.
Please contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our highly skilled and experienced dentists. Since 1994, Annerley Dental has provided patients in Brisbane, QLD, and surrounding suburbs with personalised, cost-effective dental treatments for their needs and budgets.