Smoking causes significant dental problems and is considered one of the largest causes of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth loss among adults. Dealing with the symptoms of quitting smoking can be extensively long and challenging, and many people have begun moving towards vaping as an alternative solution to their smoking addiction. However, because vaping is still being researched and debated upon, there have been reports of vaping products and e-cigarettes being just as bad a tobacco products and other reports that show that vaping products could have some side effects on people’s oral health.
Vaping and Its Potential Harm Towards Oral Health
Studies from multiple sources, including resources such as the CDC, John Hopkins University, and other research journals, cite there are both potential harms to people’s overall health and oral health. Vaping can be seen as a tempting activity for young adults and adults wishing to quit smoking, but while it may sound enticing, there are certain factors people should be aware of when it comes to vape, including:
- Vape Can Contain Nicotine: The nicotine added to vaping products can be just as toxic to our bodies as it is when smoking tobacco. The chemical is extracted from tobacco products and is harmful to the lungs, heart, and nervous system.
- Some Vape Products Contain Black Market Substances: vaping products contain THC from black market sources because of the added product Vitamin E acetate, which can damage the lungs and even cause death.
- Vaping Can Harm The Lungs and Heart: Because nicotine is addictive, it raises blood pressure, increases your heart rate, and increases your risk for heart attacks and cardiovascular disease.
- Vaping Contains Aerosols: The aerosol exhaled from an e-cigarette and vaping devices can contain other chemicals, such as diacetyl, ultrafine particles, and other cancer-causing chemicals.
When it comes to the effects on oral health, those side effects are still being researched. However, according to studies from the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, the components of most vaping products, which include sucrose, sucralose, and other flavorings, can significantly accelerate the development of cavities and periodontal disease. In other studies, these sweet flavorings are often found in vaping products; it has cariogenic potential due to the physicochemical properties it has similar to high-sugar candies, acidic drinks, and gelatinous candies, and thus increases the risk of cavities in young adults and adults.
Other Options To Help Quit Smoking For Good
Quitting smoking can be especially hard, but the truest place to begin is by reaching out, finding resources that can help you, and speaking with your doctors about your addiction. Even when vaping presents fewer risks, the risks of nicotine addiction and cavities from vaping liquids can still exist. Speak with your doctor about these issues with programs, find better tools to help you quit smoking for good, and make sure to speak with your dentist about the potential effects of vaping and what you should do to keep your teeth and gums healthy.