Although many people view vaping as a safer alternative to smoking, it can negatively impact your oral health too. Understanding the risks of vaping allows you to contact your family dentist and reduce your risk of complications. Below is a brief guide on the connection between vaping and your oral health.

How Vaping Works

Vaping involves smoking an electronic cigarette. This e-cigarette uses an aerosol, or a vapor, to deliver nicotine to your lungs. For smokers, this can satisfy a craving, much like a cigarette. The aerosol used in e-cigarettes doesn’t just provide nicotine to the body. It also uses chemicals—such as propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, chemicals, and heavy metals—that enter your lungs and contact your teeth.

How Is Vaping Different Than Smoking Cigarettes?

Vaping’s primary difference with cigarette smoking is that it’s a tobacco-free way to smoke. Unlike tobacco-based cigarettes, e-cigarettes heat a liquid to delivers nicotine to the lungs. Proponents of this alternative claim that e-cigarette users face less nicotine and harmful chemicals than cigarette smokers, but levels of nicotine vary widely from one e-cigarette to the next.

What Are Its Impacts on Oral Health?

The aerosol that e-cigarettes create can increase the number of bacteria in your mouth. This could potentially lead to more cavities that require a visit to your family dentist to fix. Vaping can also lead to dry mouth, which makes you prone to tooth decay, along with bad breath and mouth sores. 

The nicotine in e-cigarettes can also reduce blood flow in the mouth. This can inflame them or cause them to recede. Inflammation may lead to cell death, resulting in tooth loss, periodontal diseases, and tooth decay.

If you’re concerned about the effect that vaping has on your teeth, contact Clements Family Dentistry in Hamilton, OH. This family dental practice is a member of the American Dental Association and has been serving the Butler County area for more than 20 years. Dr. Clements and his staff offer a range of services, including routine dental exams and cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges, dental implants, and periodontal therapy. To schedule an appointment, call (513) 887-7027. Visit the website to learn more about available services.