Read about some potential side effects of vaping and nicotine use on your oral health.
Vaping has increased in popularity over the last few years. There is a common myth that e-cigarettes are better for you than smoking. However, vaping still involves nicotine delivery into the body, and nicotine affects the blood vessels in your gums. Vaping uses an aerosol, or vapor, as a delivery system for nicotine which has the same negative impact on your oral health regardless of how it’s consumed.
Nicotine has a significant effect on salivary flow. Saliva is important to protect against tooth decay, acid erosion and allow bacteria to stick more easily to teeth and gums. E-cigarettes also contain popylene glycol – the liquid in an e-cigarette. It breaks down in the mouth into acids which can permanently damage tooth enamel and dentine by dissolving them away.
Some potential complications of vaping and nicotine use include;
- Receding gums
- Dry mouth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Tooth decay
- Acid erosion
- Cavities
- Gum disease
- Oral Cancer
We also get asked: “Does vaping cause bad breath?” And the answer is yes.
There’s no getting around it—vaping is detrimental to your oral health in general. If you are a regular user of e-cigarettes and you notice any of the following symptoms, you may want to consult your dentist:
- Red, irritated, tender, or swollen gums
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Bad breath that doesn’t respond to mouthwash or breath freshener
- Sensitive teeth
- Yellow teeth
- Obvious cavities
If you would like to know more on this topic and our source, you can use this link: https://www.perioimplantadvisory.com/clinical-tips/article/16412201/vaping-and-oral-health-its-worse-than-you-think
And if you would like to book in for a dental examination or a hygiene appointment please feel free to email us at info@citydental.co.nz or give us a call on 09 919 2006.
