Despite being in the news many times lately, vaping seems to be popular, particularly among teenagers and young adults. The machine contains flavored juices that the person inhales, and they exhale water vapor. At first sight, this seems like a better alternative. Although this new cigarette replacement doesn’t involve tobacco products, it already has shown to be dangerous for your overall health, with many reports of lung damage and other medical concerns. But is vaping any better than traditional cigarettes in terms of your oral health? Unfortunately, many vaping juices contain nicotine, which is one of the primary causes of smokers’ oral issues. In this post, you’ll learn four ways that vaping can damage your smile and why you should avoid this habit.
Receding Gums
The nicotine found in many e-cigarette juices reduces blood flow to the gum and other supporting tissues in the mouth. As a result, the gums don’t bring in enough nutrients to stay alive and well. Eventually, the gum tissue recedes, exposing sensitive tooth roots to hot and cold temperatures and leaving teeth more unstable.
Gum Disease
In addition to being a potentially dangerous symptom all on its own, receding gums is also a common sign of more advanced gum disease or periodontal disease in Chaska, which starts out with red and swollen gums that bleed easily. This inflammatory condition is caused by harmful bacterial growth within the mouth. Without professional intervention, gum disease can ultimately cause tooth loss. In fact, gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss around the world. Unfortunately, nearly half of American adults over the age of 30 already struggles with untreated gum disease. If vaping continues to remain a common habit, this number could dramatically increase, along with the number of Americans with at least one lost permanent tooth, now about 178 million.
Dry Mouth
As another side effect of nicotine, dry mouth sets the stage for harmful bacteria growth inside the mouth. Without enough saliva to help keep the mouth clean, the likelihood of tooth decay dramatically increases. With more frequent cavities, you may experience toothaches and impaired function and confidence in your smile.
Bruxism
Did you know that nicotine inhaled through e-cigarettes is a muscle stimulant. As a result, you may find that you unintentionally clench or grind your teeth at night, or if you already have this habit, it can worsen with vaping. Other than potentially causing you jaw pain, headaches, and other unpleasant symptoms, this habit called bruxism also wears down tooth enamel to the point that cracks or breaks in teeth are more likely.
In the end, the risks of vaping greatly overshadow any advantages. It simply isn’t worth harming your body or your smile. If, however, you still decide to use e-cigarettes, please be sure to keep up healthy oral habits to combat the potential negative outcomes. You should brush and floss your teeth daily, sip water throughout the day, and make sure you visit your dentist regularly. They will be able to provide the care you need to keep your smile as healthy as possible.
About the Practice
Dr. Aaron Swingdorf has years of clinical experience and is devoted to helping patients become equal partners in their own oral health. To learn more about the dangers of vaping, gum disease, and other oral conditions, you can contact Dr. Swingdorf by calling (952) 448-4151 or clicking here.
