What is Vaping?

    

Vaping means smoking an e-cigarette.  E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that deliver cigarettes electronically and in an array of flavors and vapors.  The 3 most common ingredients in e-cigarettes are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine.  These are harmful ingredients that may cause harm to your health and your dental health.  Center of Disease Control (CDC) reports that there is an increase of e-cigarette use, especially among kids; an increase of 78% among high school students and an increase of 49% among the middle school students between 2017 and 2018.  This is a big concern and more studies are needed to find out the effects of long term exposure to e-cigarettes.

Health risks of Vaping
Nicotine is delivered through vaping.  Nicotine is an addictive substance that is also a carcinogen, and it is known to cause cancer.  Nicotine can cause tumor growth in the following:
Lung cancer
Gastrointestinal cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Breast cancer
Some early studies show data that vaping may cause bodily harm:
Impacts the health of the lungs and DNA
Damages the blood cells
Increases the risk of heart disease
Weakens the immune system
Dental health risks of Vaping
The 3 most common ingredients in e-cigarettes are propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and nicotine.
Oral tissues exposed to a mixture of propylene glycol and flavoring ingredients in e-cigarettes can lead to dry mouth.
Research shows when teeth are exposed to a mix of vegetable glycerin and flavoring ingredients, teeth have four times more bacteria than teeth that have not been exposed to e-cigarettes.
Vaping can cause deterioration of tooth enamel, cavities, periodontal disease, gum recession, tooth loss, and other dental health problems.
White spots on the teeth-these are decalcifications that show the beginning of enamel softening
Red or white patches on the gums or the inside of the cheek.  They can be precancerous cells and sometimes they do become cancer cells.
Oral thrush-white patches on the tongue or mouth or redness inside the mouth. This can be a sign of thrush.

Vaping increases the risk of periodontal disease. These are some of the symptoms to look out for:
Ongoing bad breath (halitosis)
Red, puffy, bleeding gums
Receding gums
Tender or swollen gums
Teeth mobility

Minimize the risk of developing dental problems
Stop vaping
Brush with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice per day.  Wait 20 minutes before brushing your teeth after vaping
Floss daily
Avoid dry mouth, drink water often.  Use a moisturizing mouth spray containing xylitol, which helps to stimulate saliva production.
See the dentist every 4 to 6 months for check-up and cleaning.
Researches

The increased number of people vaping as an alternative to traditional cigarette smoking is a growing concern.  More studies are being done now to find out the health and dental health risks of vaping.     Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asked the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to report on the potential public health consequences of vaping. NASEM researchers were unable to find any link between e-cigarette use and periodontal disease.  They provided limited evidence that e-cigarette aerosol can cause cell damage in oral tissue.
More researches are needed to find out the long term health and dental health impacts of vaping and e-cigarettes. 

Dr. Anna Lee is a general & cosmetic dentist in Glendora, CA.  She is experienced in all phases of dentistry.  She treats patients of all ages.  If you notice any of the symptoms of periodontal disease, call our office for a dental checkup.  Call our office at 626-335-5114 for a dental appointment or visit us at www.annaleedds.com.