Does My Dentist Know I Vape?

You might already be aware that smoking harms your teeth, but unfortunately, vaping also has negative effects on your oral health.

Some people switch from smoking to vaping, believing it’s a safer option. However, studies reveal that vaping has similar detrimental impacts on your teeth and gums, which your dentist can easily identify. Let’s delve into why vaping is harmful to your oral health and how your dentist can detect smoking or vaping habits.

Does my dentist know I vape?

• Nicotine’s Impact on Teeth and Gums: Vaping doesn’t contain tobacco, but it does contain nicotine. One e-cigarette cartridge is equivalent to smoking 2-3 packs of regular cigarettes. Nicotine reacts with saliva, causing unsightly yellow or brown stains on teeth, harming both appearance and health. As vaping continues, these stains worsen and become harder to remove. Research indicates nicotine’s adverse effects on gums, acting as a vasoconstrictor that reduces blood flow, compounding gum issues, and increasing the risk of gum disease. Nicotine is linked to more periodontal pockets, bone loss, and tooth loss.
• Dry Mouth from Vaping: Nicotine reduces saliva flow, and the ingredient Propylene Glycol in vaping oils also absorbs moisture, leading to dry mouth, which fosters plaque, tooth decay, and higher gum disease risk.
• Tooth Staining and Cavities: Propylene glycol breaks down into acids that harm enamel, rendering teeth more susceptible to cavities. Flavorings in oils encourage bacteria to adhere to already compromised teeth, decreasing enamel hardness by 27%.
• Mouth Burns: Though rare, vaping-generated mouth burns can occur due to overheating or explosion of lithium batteries.
• Palate Stomatitis: Vaping can inflame the cell lining of the mouth, particularly the roof, causing painful sores and lesions.
• Tooth Damage: Nicotine’s stimulating effects can lead to teeth grinding or clenching, resulting in broken teeth, jaw pain, headaches, and heightened risk of bone loss. Vaping oils, even without tobacco, contain nicotine, causing similar oral issues as smoking. Other oil ingredients can also harm teeth.

The misconception is that e-cigarettes are safer or less harmful to teeth. Whether you vape or smoke, be aware that these habits can seriously impact your oral health.

If you vape, prioritize oral health and maintain regular dental checkups. If quitting is your goal, consult your dentist or hygienist for guidance on safeguarding your oral health from nicotine’s effects.