Mangos, peaches, churro and ice cream, and rainbow candy–this delicious sounding list appears on a site selling e-liquids for e-cigarettes. The list goes on. In fact, those who vape can choose from over 7764 flavors! Smoking e-cigarettes, or vaping, is extremely popular in the US. Indeed, a recent study concludes nearly 1 in 20 US adults use e-cigarettes. Their reason? Many cite their belief that e-cigarettes are healthier for them than traditional cigarettes. And those flavors. They enjoy the sweep flavors vape juices come in. Are they really healthier, though?
From a dentist’s perspective, vaping presents serious oral health risks. Drs. Evan and Bartels ask you to consider how vaping causes tooth decay and other oral health issues.
First, vaping ingredients can harm your gums.
Just like traditional cigarettes, vapes contain nicotine. Vapers need to be aware that nicotine is a vasoconstrictor compound. In other words, it prompts blood vessels to constrict. This action, in turn, restricts blood flow and nutrients to your gums. Healthy teeth first require healthy gums. They support your teeth structurally. In addition, without proper blood flow, gums can start to recede. As they recede, the exposed bone can be affected also. Thus, this can lead to periodontal (gum) disease, tooth sensitivity, and a host of other oral health problems.
Second, e-cigarette juices can cause dry mouth.
A common ingredient in many e-hookah (e-cigarette) base liquids (or vape juices) is propylene glycol. This ingredient acts as an antifreeze in a sense, and it has water absorption properties. For the person vaping, this means that as they inhale, the propylene glycol absorbs the moisture from their mouth and throat. Saliva production plays a crucial role in cavity prevention. A moist mouth helps to wash away cavity-causing bacteria. Furthermore, a moist mouth keeps a healthy pH level to discourage bacterial growth. By drying out your mouth, vaping disrupts this delicate balance, making it easier for bacteria to grow. It also often leads to mouth sores and sore gums. If that’s not enough to turn you away, just ask your kissing partner how dry mouth causes bad breath!
Third, those sweet flavors encourage cavity-causing bacteria to grow and stick around in your mouth.
All those yummy flavors require some type of sweetener to give them their pleasing taste. Indeed, a recent study found that vaping “aerosols have similar physiochemical properties as high-sucrose, gelatinous candies and acidic drinks.” To put it simply, each time you inhale, you’re inhaling sugars and acids that feed cavity-causing bacteria. The same study shows that people who vape sweet flavors have substantially more bacteria in their mouths. Also, this bacteria is sticker than that found in non-vaper’s mouths. Sticker bacteria makes your job of brushing it away harder to do. The math becomes simple to do: The more bacteria in your mouth and the stickier it is, the more likely you are to face tooth decay.
Finally, sweet vapes weaken your tooth enamel.
Your tooth enamel, the outer shell of your teeth, is the strongest part of your body. However, it’s no match for the sweeteners and acids in sweet vaping aerosoles. As we mentioned in a previous blog, tooth decay comes from sugar and acids. Both come in contact with tooth enamel with each puff of an e-cigarette. The result is a 27% decrease in enamel hardness. Weakened tooth enamel equals an opening for bacteria to seize upon.
Your overall health is at risk from vaping, too.
As dentists, of course, we’re particularly interested in the impact of vaping on oral health. As doctors, we understand how the entire body is connected. The other ingredients don’t take doctors to tell you they’re risky for your health. Here’s a list of other ingredients common in these “tasty” vape juices:
- Formaldehyde: the chemical used to preserve dead bodies
- Arsenic: a common rat poison ingredient
- Lead: a chemical linked to stroke and heart attack
No wonder they name their flavors fun names like “rainbow candy.” Names like “rat poison” and “dead man’s skin treatment” just don’t have the same appeal!
Vaping makes your smile less bright
On a cosmetic note, nicotine is still nicotine. It still stains teeth yellow. This yellowing enters the pore of the teeth to get to a deeper layer than simple brushing can brush away. It also leads to puffy, bleeding gums. In short, vaping makes your smile less attractive, even before more serious decay becomes apparent.
The team at Munroe Falls Family Dentistry wants to help you address your vaping habit before your oral health suffers.
Clearly, vaping causes tooth decay and other oral health concerns. If you vape and would like to evaluate its effects on your oral health, call our office at (330) 688-4942 to schedule a visit. Our dentists, Dr. Michael Evan and Dr. Mica Bartels offer compassionate, judgment-free dental care.
Call our office at (330) 688-4942, and Michelle, Denise, or Jeanie will be happy to find you an appointment time that’s convenient for your schedule.
With early morning and evening appointments available, we make scheduling a convenient time easy. We’re easy to find on Route 91 (also known as Darrow Road) on the border of Stow, Ohio, just down the road from Adell Durbin Park. This location makes us an easy drive from Tallmadge, Kent, and Hudson, Ohio, too!
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Munroe Falls Family Dentistry