The Effects of Vaping on Oral Health

Vaping has grown in popularity since it was introduced in the U.S. in 2007. In 2021, 4.5% of people in the U.S. were vaping, which is roughly 30 million users. Many have stopped smoking cigarettes and started vaping thinking that vaping is a safer option. 

Understanding Vaping and How It Works

Vaping is the act of inhaling an aerosol, or mist, created by an electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or other vapid device, or vape. A vape works by heating a liquid solution, called e-liquid, using a heating element (coil) powered by a battery, which then vaporizes the liquid into an aerosol that the user inhales. This aerosol typically contains nicotine, marijuana, flavorings, and other chemicals suspended in a mixture of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, creating the “vape” effect. 

Key Components of a Vape

The key components of a vape include:

• Battery: Provides power to heat the coil.
• Atomizer: Contains the heating coil and usually a wick that absorbs the e-liquid.
• E-liquid reservoir: Holds the e-liquid.
• Mouthpiece: Where the user inhales the vapor. 

How Vaping Works

Vaping process looks like this:

1. The battery powers the coil and heats it to a high temperature.
2. The heated coil vaporizes the e-liquid from the wick, which creates an aerosol.
3. The person using the vape inhales the produced vapor.

Important points to remember are that, while not all vapes contain nicotine, many do, and these can be highly addictive. Flavorings are appealing, but may also pose health concerns from the chemicals in the e-liquid.

How Vaping Affects the Mouth and Teeth

While vaping is generally considered safer than smoking, it can still have serious health consequences. Vaping can negatively impact oral health in several ways, including: 

• Dry mouth: Vaping can reduce saliva production, which can lead to tooth decay, bad breath, and oral sores. 
• Gum disease: Vaping can increase the risk of gum disease and gum recession. The chemicals in vape liquids can change the bacteria in your mouth, which can lead to gum disease. 
• Tooth decay: The sweet flavors in e-liquids can stick to teeth and increase the chance of cavities. 
• Plaque buildup: Vaping can increase plaque formation and make it harder to remove. 
• Teeth grinding: Vaping can stimulate teeth grinding, which can lead to discomfort and other complications. 
• Discolored teeth: Vaping can discolor teeth. 
• Inflammation: Vaping can cause inflammation in the mouth. 
• Temporary loss of taste: Some people experience temporary loss of taste, also known as vape tongue. 
• Increased risk of infection: Vaping can increase the risk of infection. 
• Teeth relapse: Vaping can increase the risk of teeth relapsing into previous positions after orthodontic treatment.

Increased Risk of Cavities

Vaping can increase the risk of cavities due to these factors:

• Reduced saliva: Vaping can reduce saliva production, which can lead to dry mouth. Dry mouth makes teeth more susceptible to bacteria that cause tooth decay. 
• Sticky residue: The chemicals in vape liquids, like vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, create a sticky residue that can change the bacteria in your mouth. This can lead to an excess of bacteria, which can cause tooth decay. 
• Heat: The heat from vapes can irritate oral tissues, which can contribute to tooth decay. 
• Suppressed immune system: Vaping can suppress the signaling that activates the immune system, which can allow bacteria to grow. 
• Gum disease: Vaping can lead to gum disease, which can weaken the support systems that hold teeth in place. 
• Teeth grinding: Vaping can stimulate muscular activity, which can lead to grinding your teeth (bruxism). 

Comparing Vaping, Smoking, and Non-Smoking for Risk of Cavities

Vaping and smoking both increase the risk of cavities compared to non-smoking, but the oral health problems of vapers are generally less severe than those of smokers. A 2022 study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association found that patients who vaped had a significantly higher risk of developing cavities than those who didn’t. 

Gum Disease and Inflammation

The chemicals in vaping can harm your gums. Here are a few of the negative effects of vaping on your gums:

• Gum inflammation: The chemicals in vape liquids can irritate your gums, causing inflammation, redness, and swelling. This can lead to gum disease, which can cause receding gums, chronic bad breath, and tooth loss.
• Gum recession: Nicotine in vape juice can restrict blood flow to your gums, which can lead to poor gum healing and gum recession. 
• Dry mouth: Many vape e-liquids contain propylene glycol, which can cause dry mouth. Dry mouth can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease.
• Tooth decay: The sweet flavors added to e-cigarettes can contribute to tooth decay. 
• Oral microbiome: Vaping can change the bacterial makeup of your mouth, which can lead to gum disease.

Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease

Research indicates a growing body of evidence suggesting that vaping is associated with an increased risk of developing gingivitis and periodontal disease, primarily due to the disruption of the oral microbiome, reduced saliva production causing a dry mouth, and potential inflammatory effects of the chemicals in vape liquids, which can irritate gum tissues; studies show that vapers often exhibit signs of gum disease like bleeding gums and increased pocket depths compared to non-vapers. 

Impact of Vaping on Oral Soft Tissues

Vaping can negatively impact oral soft tissues by causing irritation, inflammation, dryness (xerostomia), and potential lesions due to the chemicals in the vapor, which can lead to an increased risk of gum disease and other oral health complications. The main culprits are the nicotine and propylene glycol often found in vape liquids. Additionally, vape aerosol can irritate the oral mucosa causing sore throats, ulcers, and irritation caused by.

Irritation of the Oral Mucosa

Vaping promotes the growth of harmful bacteria and contributes to oral mucosal changes like “nicotine stomatitis” (a white patch on the roof of the mouth) with prolonged use. Sore throats, ulcers, and irritation can result from vape aerosol.

Key points regarding the connection between vaping and negative impacts on oral mucosa:

• Direct irritation: The vapor from e-cigarettes can directly irritate the oral mucosa, causing a burning sensation and discomfort. 
• Inflammation: Chemicals in vape liquids can trigger an inflammatory response in the oral tissues, potentially leading to gum disease. 
• Oral mucosal lesions: Studies have shown an increased incidence of oral mucosal lesions, including white patches and ulcers, among vapers. 
• Nicotine stomatitis: A common oral mucosal change associated with vaping is “nicotine stomatitis,” characterized by white patches on the roof of the mouth. 
• Microbiome disruption: Vaping can alter the balance of bacteria in the mouth, potentially favoring the growth of harmful bacteria associated with oral diseases.

Mouth and Throat Cancer Risks

Mouth and throat cancer have been linked to vaping. Symptoms of oral cancer include:

• A sore, lump, or patch in the mouth or on the lip that does not heal
• Pain in the mouth or a sore throat that does not go away

Current data confirms that the following issues exist connecting e-cigarettes and oral cancer:

• DNA damage: E-cigarette aerosols and liquids can damage DNA in oral cells, which can lead to carcinogenesis. 
• Carcinogenic agents: E-cigarettes contain carcinogenic agents that can damage DNA and alter genes. 
• Environmental toxins: E-cigarettes contain environmental toxins that may increase the risk of oral cancer. 
• Oral leukoplakia: Nicotine in e-cigarettes can promote oral leukoplakia, a potentially malignant disorder. 
• HPV infection: E-cigarette use has been linked to the presence of oral HPV-16 infection. 

Long-Term Consequences of Vaping on Oral Health 

Vaping is a concern for the future due to the growing number of young vapers. With the connection between vaping and an increased likelihood of needing dental treatments such as fillings, gum therapy, and other procedures, long-term consequences exist even though they are not fully known. Inhaling the e-liquids that contain nicotine, heavy metals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and cancer-causing chemicals has the potential for long-term oral health consequences.

What Can Be Done to Minimize Oral Health Risks?

The best action to minimize oral health risks for vapers and smokers alike is to quit those habits. If you’re looking for ways to quit vaping, getting support can help. Having a supportive community and network around you may increase your chances of success.

• Try to quit vaping – speak to your doctor, or dentist, or call LiveHelp for guidance and support. Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW to provide confidential help
• Make a quit plan.
• Learn strategies to manage nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Good Oral Hygiene Practices for Vapers

If you vape, keeping your oral hygiene routine is imperative to minimize oral health risks. 

• Clean your teeth and gums twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Floss twice a day.
• Get routine dental cleanings every 6 months to find problems early. Regular visits can help to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

Importance of Hydration to Prevent Dry Mouth

Whether for smokers or vapers, it is important to avoid having a dry mouth. Drink plenty of water and chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow. This is especially important if you take medications that cause dry mouth.

Contact Sninski & Schmitt Family Dentistry to Schedule your Dental Check-Up

During a regular dental check-up, our professional team can determine if there are issues as a result of vaping.  Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry is currently accepting new patients. Reach us at our Holly Springs dentist office at 919-600-6262 and our Cary dentist office at 919-467-2203. Or, you can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.