Teeth and Vaping

Teeth and Vaping. There is more to vaping than just teeth.  It relates to your health! Now, of course, smoking stains teeth for sure, and quickly. Vape ‘smoke’ does not contain the tars and combustion products that a burning cigarette can produce, so no staining occurs.

The bigger concern is that the nicotine in Vape smoke (and cigarettes, of course) constricts capillaries and reduces blood circulation in the mouth and gums. This causes gum disease and gum recession to happen at a much faster rate. So younger adults may get gum disease earlier than they would normally see it. Studies have found that even e-cigarettes claiming to be nicotine -free contain trace amounts of nicotine . 

Cavities and gum disease love a dry mouth. This can cause an ‘outbreak’ of cavities, normally seen only in kids or much older adults who have a dry mouth for other reasons. Dry mouth is part of the reason for terrible tooth problems in Meth users. Vaping will not make your teeth as bad as that! But it can cause many cavities over time.

This is seen as stomach aches and acid reflux (heartburn). Acid reflux will put terribly acidic stomach acids in contact with teeth, which dissolves enamel over time. Propylene glycol also breaks down into acetic acid and lactic acid, which are milder than stomach acid, but still harmful to teeth. If you have this problem, using Vegetable Glycerin (VG) only vape juice may eliminate the reflux. 

Sweet flavored vapors, like pineapple or cotton candy, deliver sugar into every pit and groove in your teeth, right where cavities like to start.

Most of these problems are slow to develop, and it may be hard to tell if you have them. If you are seeing your dentist regularly , he or she should be able to tell you if vaping is hurting your teeth or gums. You should let them know you are vaping, so they can check.

If you vape, it would be good to check up on your gums and any gum recession due to vaping, set up your appointment below with us today!

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