While it is no secret how dangerous and bad cigarettes are for your overall health, many people don’t realize how bad they are specifically for your oral health. Smoking cigarettes can cause mouth cancer as well as immensely increase your risks of gum disease. Smoking typical tobacco cigarettes also causes staining and yellowing of the teeth, bad breath, and can increase tooth decay.
If you have switched to vaping in order to help divert some of the immensely negatively health effects of normal tobacco cigarettes, you may be now wondering whether or not there are equally negative health effects associated with vaping and e-cigarettes. While vaping is much better for your health in terms of your lungs, heart, throat, etc., the question you may find yourself sitting with is whether or not vaping negatively affects one’s oral health.
The vaping effects on your oral health
When it comes to vaping and your oral health, there are some benefits over normal tobacco cigarettes. E-cigarettes do not have equally as bad effects on one’s oral health in terms of the plaque buildup, bad breath, and yellowing and staining of the teeth, however, there are still effects that you should be aware of.
While these particular side effects, staining, plaque buildup, and bad breath, are caused by the tobacco and various chemicals and tar in a normal tobacco cigarette (that do not exist in an e-cigarette), there is still something to be said about the nicotine, that is in both types of “cigarettes”. When it comes to dental care in Las Colinas, knowing the effects of vaping and your oral health is important for awareness and in order to prevent permanent damage.
Nicotine and your oral health
Unfortunately, regardless of how the nicotine is delivered (via a normal tobacco cigarette or an e-cigarette) there is still some damage that can be done as a result. It is said that nicotine itself is harmful to the mouth, gums, and the tongue. Several studies indicate that nicotine is linked to increasing the risk for gingivitis and periodontitis (gum disease).
Gum disease causes inflammation of the gums, bleeding of the gums, bad breath, and can pose a threat to tooth loss. While nicotine can obstruct the flow of blood through one’s body, including the gums, it results in a lack of oxygen and nutrients that are necessary for good health. The tissues are damaged by this lack of blood flow, which can cause the gum tissue to deteriorate over time.
Nicotine can also mask the symptoms of gum disease
While nicotine can lead to higher risks of developing gum disease, it can also mask the symptoms. If you are vaping, it is just as important to keep your oral health in check and watch very closely for any signs of gum disease.
The solution
If you are vaping, there isn’t a full-on solution to avoid the negative side effects of nicotine. However, there are ways that you can reduce your risks. Since nicotine is the “bad guy” in terms of your oral health and vaping, the best thing you can do is reduce the levels of nicotine that you have in your e-liquid. In fact, you can even opt for getting e-liquid that is 100% nicotine free. Work your way off of the nicotine and you will notice that eventually it isn’t a necessary addition to your vape.
The best thing you can do is to make sure to regularly visit your dentist for checkups. Inform them of your vaping habits and ensure they do a thorough check for any symptoms of gum disease. If you are looking for a trusted and highly recommended family dentist in Las Colinas, here at Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we can help. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
