Many people believe that using a vaporizer—also known as an e-cigarette—is a healthier alternative to tobacco products. While this may be true, vaping can increase your risk of oral health problems that require treatment from a dentist. Here’s a brief overview of vaping and how it can impact your dental health.

How Does Vaping Work?

Vaping involves heating a liquid that typically contains several ingredients—such as glycerin, nicotine, flavorings, and water—to produce an aerosol that you inhale. Nicotine relaxes the user, while the other substances give the e-cigarettes a pleasant taste.

How Is It Different From Smoking Cigarettes?

Smoking provides nicotine when you burn tobacco while vaping delivers nicotine by heating a liquid. Although the methods are similar, e-liquid usually contains fewer chemicals than tobacco, which is why it is considered a safer alternative. However, that does not mean it doesn’t have risks. Rather, vaping can increase your chances of lung problems, like cigarettes.

How Does Vaping Harm Your Oral Health?

While e-cigarettes don’t use tobacco, they may still contain heavy metals, solid particles, and flavorings that can cause lung disease and other issues. While the full scope of vaping-related illnesses is unknown due to them being relatively modern, a few ways it affects your teeth and gums are below.

Dry Mouth

The propylene glycol in e-cigarettes can absorb the moisture from your mouth. Without adequate saliva, you’re more susceptible to tooth decay. This is a painful condition that will expose the nerves in the tooth over time, and will eventually require extraction without treatment. Dry mouth can also lead to sores and problems with swallowing.

Gum Disease

Nicotine in e-cigarettes will reduce blood flow to the gums and prevent them from fighting infections effectively, as fewer white blood cells reach the area. Additionally, the chemicals in e-cigarettes increase harmful bacteria in the mouth. Both of these issues give you a higher chance of developing gum disease and cavities. Without prompt treatment from a dentist, it can increase the risk of tooth loss, heart disease, and stroke.

If you have oral health that you believe are from vaping, turn to Allen S. Braumiller Jr. DDS, PC, in Coweta, OK. This dentist has 33 years of experience in the field and provides dental services for the entire family. Whether you need an oral exam or a root canal, Dr. Braumiller and his staff will treat you with compassion and respect. To schedule an appointment, call (918) 486-6516. Visit the website for more information about his services.