Most people view vaping as a non-harmful alternative to smoking cigarettes, however, that’s actually far from the truth. Vaping can have severe health consequences for your teeth and your entire body. Here’s what you should know about vaping and your teeth. 

How Vaping Affects Your Teeth and Gums

You might think that since there’s no tobacco smoke when you vape, the vapor can’t really cause too much damage to your teeth, but the nicotine and other ingredients in the vapor have terrible effects on your oral health, including:

Gum Tissue Loss

Nicotine can trigger gum irritation and swelling, as well as inhibiting blood flow. If your gum tissue doesn’t get enough oxygenated blood, your gums can start receding. The more your gums recede, the more uncomfortable tooth sensitivity you could experience, and the less stable your teeth will be. With severe gum recession, you could end up losing your teeth and needing dental implants to replace them. 

Gum Disease

When you smoke, you have an increased risk for periodontal disease (gum disease), and recent studies indicated that the same is true for vaping. Some common indicators of gum disease include chronic bad breath, red or pink gums, swollen gums, and loose teeth.

Tooth Decay

Whether it comes from vaping or cigarettes, nicotine can inhibit saliva production in your mouth. Without enough saliva, it’s common to have a persistently dry mouth. Some problems connected to dry mouth include lingering bacteria in your mouth, plaque accumulation on your teeth, and tooth decay. It’s not just the nicotine that’s a problem, either. The vaping aerosol includes glycerin and artificial flavors that can leave your teeth far more vulnerable to bacteria than usual. Those special vaping flavors like chocolate, strawberry, and others are actually terrible for your teeth.

Tooth Damage

Nicotine is a drug with stimulant properties. As with any other stimulant, nicotine can cause increased involuntary muscle movement, such as grinding your teeth. If you’re already grinding your teeth at night, a condition called bruxism, vaping regularly could make the tooth damage far worse than it already is. When you suffer from bruxism, you’re more likely to end up with badly worn teeth, cracked teeth, and other serious damage that might eventually require tooth replacement. 

Whole-Body Effects of Vaping

Vaping can cause serious damage to your teeth and gums, as well as your whole body. Nicotine is an addictive drug, one that can actually inhibit brain development in users under 18 years old. Additionally, nicotine is tied to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and serious respiratory illnesses. 

It’s important to know that the effects of vaping still aren’t fully known at this time, but it’s now certain that vaping isn’t the harmless alternative to smoking that many people think it is. The Food and Drug Administration is increasing its scrutiny of vaping manufacturers and products at this time, and it’s possible that new restrictions will be introduced in the future. 

All of this means that vaping is bad for your gums, teeth, oral health, and general health. When you consider all of these things, it means that vaping could be nearly as bad as smoking cigarettes, and possibly even worse. If you’re currently vaping, or you’re considering vaping to help you quit cigarettes, consider another alternative for quitting. It’s not worth putting your oral health and whole-body health at risk! 

Worried About Vaping Effects?

The skilled Vero Beach dental team at Vero VIP Implants & Periodontics helps patients with gum disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, as well as dental implants. Dr. Brown is a highly skilled periodontal specialist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, and has published articles in the Journal of Periodontology Online. He has extensive knowledge on all things tooth health and can help you correct any issue that may be a result of vaping.

To get help for gum disease, tooth loss, and overall oral health, reach out online or by phone today.