Vaping and Oral Health – All You Need to Know
Vaping has become a popular alternative to smoking, but is it really safer for your oral health? While many believe e-cigarettes pose fewer risks than traditional cigarettes, growing research suggests otherwise. Vaping has been linked to various oral health issues, including gum disease, tooth decay, discolouration, and even an increased risk of oral cancer.
In this article, we’ll explore how vaping affects your mouth, the potential dangers, and how to protect your smile.
How Vaping Affects Oral Health
1. Increases the Risk of Gum Disease
Gum disease, or periodontitis, is a serious condition that can lead to gum recession, infection, and even tooth loss. Vaping contributes to gum disease by:
• Reducing Blood Flow to the Gums – Nicotine restricts blood flow, slowing down healing and making gums more vulnerable to infection.
• Encouraging Bacterial Growth – Vape aerosols create an environment where harmful bacteria thrive, leading to plaque buildup and gum inflammation.
• Weakening the Body’s Immune System – Vaping weakens the immune response, making it harder to fight off gum infections.
2. Increases Dental Decay and Cavities
Vaping liquids often contain sweeteners and acids, which can erode enamel and increase the risk of cavities. The effects include:
• Lower Saliva Production – Vaping can cause dry mouth, which reduces saliva flow. Saliva is essential for washing away bacteria and neutralising acids that cause decay.
• Enamel Erosion – Acidic vape flavours, particularly citrus and menthol varieties, weaken enamel and make teeth more vulnerable to cavities.
• Plaque Buildup – Bacteria feed on the sugary components in vape juice, increasing plaque and the likelihood of cavities.
3. Causes Tooth Discolouration and Bad Breath
Although vaping doesn’t stain teeth as severely as traditional smoking, it can still lead to discolouration over time. Additionally, vaping can cause:
• Chronic Bad Breath (Halitosis) – Dry mouth and increased bacterial buildup contribute to persistent bad breath.
• Weakened Tooth Enamel – Thinner enamel makes teeth more prone to discolouration from food and drinks.
4. Increases the Risk of Oral Cancer
E-cigarette aerosols contain nicotine, formaldehyde and acrolein to name a few, which are harmful to oral tissues. Research suggests vaping may contribute to oral cancer by:
• Causing DNA Damage – Exposure to toxic chemicals can alter and damage DNA in oral cells, increasing cancer risk.
• Triggering Chronic Inflammation – Long-term irritation and inflammation can lead to cell changes that promote cancer growth.
• Compromising the Immune System – A weakened immune response makes it harder to detect and destroy abnormal cells.
What Is an Oral Cancer Screening?
This is a physical and visual examination of the oral cavity and connecting tissues. Oral screenings are completed to reassure patients that there are no problems, and to commence early treatment when there are.
An oral screening can be suggested by your dentist depending on lifestyle factors, or you can simply request one as a precaution, or depending on your family history.
Please contact us if you wish to book a dental check-up and oral screening.
Warning Signs to Watch For If You Vape
If you vape, be aware of these early warning signs of oral health issues:
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums
• Persistent bad breath or a dry mouth
• Increased sensitivity or cavities
• White or red patches in the mouth
• Mouth sores or lumps that don’t heal
If you experience any of these symptoms, schedule a dental check-up as soon as possible.
How to Protect Your Oral Health
Whether you vape occasionally or regularly, taking steps to protect your oral health is crucial. Here’s how:
1. Cut Down or Quit Vaping – The best way to prevent damage is to stop using e-cigarettes.
2. Maintain a Strong Oral Hygiene Routine – Brush twice a day, floss daily, and use alcohol-free mouthwash.
3. Stay Hydrated – Drinking plenty of water helps counteract dry mouth and flush out harmful bacteria.
4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly – Regular dental check-ups help detect and treat early signs of gum disease, decay, and other issues.
5. Monitor Your Oral Health – Keep an eye out for any unusual symptoms and seek professional advice if needed.
Conclusion
While vaping is often seen as a “safer” alternative to smoking, it still poses significant risks to your oral health. From gum disease and tooth decay to an increased risk of oral cancer, the effects of vaping on your mouth shouldn’t be ignored. Protecting your smile starts with making informed choices, practicing good oral hygiene, and considering quitting vaping for long-term health benefits.
Book an appointment
Montagu Dental and our team of General Dentists are within a 5-minute walk of Baker Street tube station in the heart of Marylebone, London. We have been caring for patients for over 50 years, and our focus has always been to provide excellent, cost-effective dentistry to patients who feel respected and valued.
To book an appointment, please get in touch by calling us here, or using our online booking form.
Dental advice during the COVID-19 outbreak
We understand that this is a difficult time for all, and we would like to offer you continued support where we can. The various regulatory health bodies have issued strict guidance on how we, as dental professionals, can support our patients during the outbreak, particularly the criteria on face-to-face contact with patients to minimise the risk of transmission.
During this unprecedented time, we are offering complimentary dental advice and telephone consultations to new and existing patients to help put your mind at ease and encourage you to continue with good oral health routines at home.
If you have any questions, concerns or would like some reassurance, please email Dr Saul Konviser at saul.konviser@montagudental.com
Keeping yourself and your family healthy
To help keep your dental health on track and minimise transmission between family members, here are a few dental tips to implement at home:
- Keep toothbrushes separate from those belonging to other family members, and of course, please do not share toothbrushes.
- Store toothbrushes head down in a mouthwash containing Hydrogen Peroxide such as Peroxyl (available from most pharmacies)
- Before brushing wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds and rinse toothbrush under hot running water prior to use.
- Use separate toothpaste tubes per person where possible, or apply to a clean surface and swipe off – do not apply directly from tube to brush.
- Spit your toothpaste; do not rinse away the protective qualities of your toothpaste.
- Disinfect surfaces after brushing and spitting.
Coronavirus Update
Montagu Dental and the Coronavirus
We will make every effort to accommodate emergency treatment, however we are now limited in what instruments we can use as per guidance from the dental and public health authorities. Please call our sister practice on
0207 935 0080 and a contact number will be given for a clinician who will call you back to discuss how best to help you.
Please note, we cannot treat you if you (or anyone in your household) has Coronavirus symptoms.
Infection control is and always has been a fundamental tenet of our dental practices.
Dawood and Tanner has always maintained the highest possible standards of hygiene and patient safety. Excellent hand hygiene, surface protection, state of the art sterilisation services, and the use of personal protective equipment is something that we do all day, every day, for every patient.
Sugar Tax Gaps
Fan of a canned cocktail or are you more partial to a bottled alcopop?
Often purchased for convenience, are we all aware of the high levels of sugar lurking within? It’s unlikely, as 9 out of 10 pre-mixed spirits do not have on pack sugar information!
Slick marketing and lack of education is hiding 12 teaspoons of sugar in one brand’s Passion Fruit Martini – that’s the same as two cans of the fizz that claims to “give you wings”
Our dentist, Dr Saul Konviser, and the team at Dental Wellness Trust and Action on Sugar are putting the pressure on to tax such products which are currently exempt from the sugar tax.
Taxing these types of products not only aims to reduce consumption but the money generated contributes to the fund Public Health England have available to educate and support those suffering from the effects of hidden sugar in our diet.
We would of course encourage our patients to keep alcohol levels to a minimum as they bring with them a variety of other health issues; we would recommend regular water consumption between beverages to neutralise the acids and ensure that you are brushing your teeth before bed.
https://www.dentalwellnesstrust.org