Vaping May Damage Teeth
On top of their other health hazards, electronic cigarettes may help rot your teeth, a new study suggests. Vaping appears to promote cavities, which can result in tooth loss if not treated quickly, experts say. “If you are vaping, be aware that there are potentially some detrimental oral health effects,” said lead researcher Dr. Karina Irusa, an assistant professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston. “If you do vape, make sure to mention this to your dentist because it may be important to make sure we customize your preventive routine to be a bit more aggressive than we would do for the average patient,” she said.
E-cigarettes may raise the risk of dental decay because the sugary content and stickiness of vaping liquid adhere to the teeth, Irusa said.Vaping fluids also change the microbiome in the mouth, making it more friendly to decay-causing bacteria. And vaping seems to encourage decay in areas where it usually doesn’t occur, such as the bottom edges of front teeth, she noted. Some lab studies have found that the vapor from e-cigarette liquid promotes bad bacteria in the mouth.Vapers should maintain a rigorous regimen of brushing and flossing, using prescription-strength fluoride toothpaste and fluoride rinse, and fluoride treatments. They also need checkups more often than twice a year, Irusa said. From the gum perspective as well as the tooth perspective, if you have a big cavity it only gets worse if nothing is done. Then you end up losing your tooth or need extensive dental work to try and save the tooth.
Healthcare providers, including dentists, should ask all patients about their tobacco use, including e-cigarettes, counsel them to quit, and provide them with resources to do so,” Folan said. Those resources should include cessation medications and information about local programs and quitlines.