Is Vaping Harmful to Your Teeth? Study Says Yes

According to Fox News, related research shows that vaping can also harm your teeth.

Americans are smoking less than ever, but that doesn't mean cigarettes are completely out of the picture.

In recent years, vaping devices (also known as e-cigarettes) have become popular, with Juul leading the market, holding nearly three-quarters of the U.S. market share. From 2017 to 2018, Juul's sales grew by nearly 800%.

Although these devices may seem healthier than smoking at first glance, they carry many of the same risks and even some new ones.

Since last month, federal officials have reported over 400 cases of severe lung disease that may be related to vaping.

Dr. Barbara Keber, chair of family medicine at Glen Cove Hospital in New York, told Healthline that this is a serious situation.

"Many of these people have actually developed this acute disease requiring the use of ventilators," she said. "Most of them are actually teenagers or young adults using e-cigarettes or electronic nicotine instead of smoking."

Your family doctor may tell you that vaping is an addictive habit that is harmful to your body.

Meanwhile, your dentist may be thinking about why it is harmful to your teeth.

Like cigarettes, vaping devices, whether Juul or others, are detrimental to oral health. Here are some risks these devices can pose to your teeth.

Gingivitis: This oral disease causes inflammation of the gums and, if left untreated, can progress to a more severe condition. One of its most common symptoms is bad breath.

Dr. Heather Kunen, co-founder of Beam Street Dental in New York, told Healthline that nicotine constricts blood vessels and inhibits healthy blood flow.

This means, she said, that smoking (or vaping) can lead to the development of gingivitis.

Kunen said that when trying to persuade young people to stay away from nicotine, she often appeals to their vanity, explaining what gingivitis can do.

"I tell them that if they continue to smoke or vape, their risk of losing teeth increases," she said.

Periodontal disease: Periodontal disease or gum disease is a later stage of gingivitis, characterized by problems with the tissues surrounding the teeth.

Keber told Healthline that the components in vaporized nicotine can create a breeding ground for bacteria along the gums.

"Some of the breakdown products of these products absolutely soften the enamel and degrade it," she explained. "That's part of it. But these products also adhere to saliva in the mouth and actually settle in the small cracks between teeth, increasing the bacterial load in the mouth and leading to gum disease."

When gingivitis and periodontal disease go unchecked, teeth can be lost. In fact, periodontal disease is the leading cause of tooth loss.

Tooth decay and oral ulcers: Both conditions are caused by dry mouth. Due to the way vaping affects oral conditions, it is a major risk factor.

"We don't exactly know what all the ingredients in the liquid used for vaping nicotine are," Keber said. "However, one known ingredient in vaping liquid is propylene glycol, which is similar to an ingredient used in antifreeze. Once vaporized, it produces some very harmful products."

Propylene glycol actually limits moisture by binding with moisture in the mouth. This leads to dry mouth and throat, both of which can lead to cavities and oral ulcers.

These chemicals also have a way of softening the enamel in teeth, which also contributes to side effects.

"Softening of the enamel increases the likelihood of cavity development or tooth decay," Kunen said.

Oral cancer: There is a notion that e-cigarettes may not be healthy, but they are healthier than smoking.

"No company has been able to show any scientific data that e-cigarettes are safe or a healthier alternative to smoking," Kunen said. "Preliminary studies conducted by national health organizations indicate that e-cigarettes do pose significant health risks and contain carcinogens that can cause DNA changes leading to cancer."

A study published last year by the American Chemical Society indeed concluded that chemicals may damage DNA, increasing the risk of cancer.

"Vapor breaks down into acetic acid, lactic acid, and propanal, all of which are toxic and harmful to oral tissues," Keber said.
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Should you vape or not?

Vaping is a new practice, and the related scientific literature and research are still catching up. (Translated by Blue Hole New Consumption)

Kunen said that while e-cigarettes may attract those looking for alternatives to smoking, they should be avoided at all costs.

She said: "E-cigarettes are not safe and are not a healthy alternative to tobacco cigarettes. They may look sleek and the aerosol resembles vapor, but they conceal inherent dangers. The high popularity of JUUL and other e-cigarettes, especially among young people, should raise concerns, and the risks associated with e-cigarettes must be more widely publicized."