If you’ve ever been asked whether you smoke while visiting the dentist, it’s for more than just curiosity’s sake. Smoking can have far-reaching effects on your oral health, leaving you more likely to experience gum disease, staining, and tooth loss. Because vaping is often touted as a healthier alternative to cigarettes, many patients wonder whether vaping has similar dental consequences. Here’s what you need to know about the connection between vaping and oral health.

A Guide to Dental Health & Vaping

How Does Vaping Impact Teeth & Gums?

Even if you brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly, vaping will take a toll on your oral health. Vaping has been linked to a number of dental issues, including tooth decay and gum disease stemming from excess bacteria. Like cigarettes, vaping can also lead to dry mouth. Aside from discomfort and bad breath, dryness also contributes to tooth decay. Without ample saliva to wash away excess food particles, bacteria flourishes.

More alarmingly, vaping may cause chronic gum inflammation and periodontal disease. Left unaddressed, periodontal disease results in tooth, gum, and bone loss.

Is It Better Than Smoking Cigarettes?

Although limited research suggests that vaping may have less of an effect on dental health than cigarettes, vaping is still a relatively new phenomenon. Its long-term implications have yet to be fully studied. Most dentists encourage their patients to stop smoking in any form, whether they use tobacco or e-cigarettes.

If you smoke or vape and have dental concerns, the team at Coulee Family Dental is here to help. Serving La Crosse County, WI, this conveniently located dentist’s office provides a broad range of oral care services, including preventive and restorative care. Their practice has 40 years of family dentistry experience and gives their patients access to all the latest dental technologies. Explore their full range of services online, or call (608) 782-3102 to schedule an appointment.