SHARES
WHO has recently announced that e-cigarettes are harmful and increase the risk of heart disease and lung problems. Vaping also poses risks on developing brains of adolescents as well as growing foetus. Besides these systemic effects, vaping poses a tremendous threat to oral health which may be as dangerous as traditional tobacco use.
Content of e-Cigarettes
e-Cigarettes contain harmful as well as potentially harmful substances, such as illustrated below:
The evidence for long-term health effects and safety of e-cigarettes are still limited. Nevertheless, there are several known potential adverse health effects. For instance, nicotine is highly addictive, toxic to brain development and poses risk to pregnant women and developing foetus.
Effects of Vaping on Oral Health
In addition to causing adverse health effects, studies have also shown possible ways in which vaping affects oral health.
- Dry mouth
One of the ingredients in e-cigarettes is propylene glycol, which can cause mouth dryness. Persistent dry mouth leads to tooth decay, bad breath and mouth sores.
- Increased bacteria quantity
Studies have shown increase in the number of bacteria in teeth that had been exposed to cigarette aerosol than those that had not. Consequently, problems such as cavities and gum diseases will occur.
- Gum diseases
Generally, majority of gum diseases is due to nicotine exposure from tobacco use. e-Cigarettes do consist of nicotine levels comparable to conventional cigarettes. Thus, the use of e-cigarettes can contribute to poor gum health.
- Oral and facial trauma
Besides affecting oral health, there are incidents of oral and facial trauma caused by explosions and fires from e-cigarettes devices. Some examples of trauma cases include burns, alveolar fractures and soft tissue injuries.
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Ways to Minimise Side Effects of Vaping
Ongoing research suggests vaping may pose fewer oral health risks than smoking cigarettes. Nevertheless, it is still important to maintain good oral health when utilising e-cigarettes. Following are some take-away tips to reduce the side effects of vaping:
- Opt for low-nicotine or nicotine-free juice of e-cigarettes to limit the negative effects of nicotine on the teeth and gums.
- Keep your mouth moist by drinking water after vaping.
- Brushing teeth twice a day helps to prevent cavities and promote overall gum health.
- Using mouthwash rinses to reduce the amount of bacteria in the oral cavity.
- Visit a dentist on a regular basis for early detection and treatment of any underlying conditions.
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by Soh May Leng
Born and raised in Malaysia, May Leng obtained her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Otago, New Zealand. She has joined the GetDoc team to relay valuable health information to the public. Staying active plays a big part in her daily life especially through outdoor sports such as running and swimming. She also enjoys travelling and has a passion for photography. View all articles by Soh May Leng.
