A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association suggests that vaping may make an individual more likely to form cavities. This is because many e-cigarettes contain added sweeteners, and sugar notoriously harms your teeth.
Research on the effects of vaping is still developing, but they appear prominent, especially in younger individuals that tend to use these products frequently. Understanding the dangers that e-cigarettes can carry when it comes to the look and feel of their smiles may encourage dental patients to re-evaluate this habit. Read on to find details about the significant impact that vaping can have on your oral health.
Sugar Erodes Dental Structure
You might have heard the famous refrain that dentists discourage the consumption of sugar. This is because sugar becomes acidic when it reacts with your saliva. And the resulting acid will eat away at your tooth enamel, creating vulnerable spots in your teeth where bacteria can form cavities.
Once gone, enamel does not reform, so you will need intervention from your dentist to restore your dental structure after sugar erosion. A dentist will treat a cavity with a dental filling, but you should preserve your natural smile for as long as you can.
To steer clear of these dental problems, you should limit sugary and acidic foods in your diet. But this advice extends to the usage of e-cigarettes, known for their sugary additives. The residues from this device will cling to your teeth and erode them, so avoid or limit this habit.
Other Oral Health Effects of Vaping
The sugar within many types of e-cigarettes can hurt your teeth. But vaping will have other negative effects on your smile too. For instance, many people might already know that nicotine from tobacco can seriously harm your smile. Some e-cigarettes claim to be tobacco-free but still feature trace amounts of nicotine that will then affect your health.
Nicotine exacerbates inflammation throughout your body, triggering the inflammatory response, a reaction in which the body works to repair damaged cells. This will result in widespread swelling and other irritations, including existing dental concerns like gum disease. This infection of gum tissue can see worse symptoms as result, like heightened bleeding and soreness in the gums.
About half of American adults suffer from gum disease, so this concern is widely relevant. Research concerning vaping is still a work in progress, so these effects are not entirely conclusive yet.
Preventative Dentistry Tips
Your dentist will recommend stopping or limiting your vaping habit to best protect your dental health. Ceasing the use of e-cigarettes can reduce your risk of cavities, gum disease, and many other dental dangers.
To keep your smile healthy enough to resist the worst effects of vaping, you should practice good oral hygiene. This regimen will clean residues from your teeth, including the sugary film from e-cigarettes. Removing harmful particles in a timely fashion will give the acids less time to erode your dental structure.
If vaping makes your teeth hurt, it might be due to nicotine, added chemicals, or flavors that can bother your teeth and gums. Here are a few steps you can take to keep your mouth healthy:
- Cut Back or Stop Vaping: Nicotine can limit blood flow to your gums, making it harder for them to stay healthy. Cutting back or stopping vaping may help ease the pain and improve your overall oral health.
- Drink More Water: Vaping can dry out your mouth, which reduces saliva. Saliva helps wash away bacteria and protect against decay. Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist and rinse away harmful particles.
- Stick to Good Oral Care: Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. Using a mouthwash can help keep bacteria levels down, which can protect against decay and might help ease any pain.
- Try Products for Sensitive Teeth: If your teeth feel extra sensitive, try using a toothpaste made for sensitive teeth. This may help ease any discomfort.
- See Your Dentist: Book a visit with your dentist. They can check for problems like decay, gum issues, or wear on your enamel. Your dentist can also give you advice on how to protect your teeth if you continue to vape.
- Look into Nicotine Alternatives: If nicotine is a big cause of your discomfort, try other options for managing nicotine cravings, like gum or lozenges, which may be easier on your teeth.
Vaping can lead to gum problems and even decay over time. Regular checkups with your dentist are especially important if you vape since they help catch any issues early on.