Vaping has become incredibly popular over the past few years. Many smokers have turned to vaping because they think it's a safe and healthy alternative to cigarettes. While vapes don't produce the tar we're used to getting warned about with cigarettes, they still contain incredibly harmful chemicals in droplets small enough to reach deeper into the lungs. Aside from all that, have you ever wondered if it's at least better for your teeth and oral health? Access Dental has the answers in today's blog! Keep reading to learn all about how vaping can affect your oral health.
It's NOT Steam
Because it's called vaping and it looks similar to steam, a lot of people think that vape is just like water. That couldn't be further from the truth. What you're actually inhaling is an aerosol byproduct created by electronically heating chemicals in the vape pod. According to one doctor, it would be equivalent to spraying hairspray into your mouth. "You hear 'vapor' and you think steam facials or a tea kettle. It's not a vapor. It's an aerosol, like hairspray or what you use to kill ants and cockroaches." (Dr. Kumar in an article on Heart.org). It's just flavored to taste good. These dangerous chemicals can cause damage to your teeth and gums, putting your mouth at risk for infection and disease.
Nicotine Restricts Blood Flow
Whether you are using cigarettes, vapes, or other tobacco products, the presence of nicotine can be a big problem for your oral health. It restricts blood flow to your gums, which makes it easier for diseases to invade your mouth.
Increased Infection
Studies are starting to show that the number of people with oral infections with are almost doubled in people who vape as opposed to those who don't use tobacco products (source: iScience). This is likely because the nicotine and other chemicals in vape (like propylene glycol, benzene, formaldehyde) are traumatizing the tissue in your mouth over and over again until it can no longer repair itself. That gives bacteria free reign to grow and spread in your mouth, causing a whole host of issues.
Periodontitis
Periodontitis is a very scary disease. When you have it, you start losing actual bone that anchors your teeth to your jaw. What is even more scary is that the microbiome (the makeup of good bacteria) in the mouths of people who vape looks very similar to the microbiome of people that have periodontitis (source: Science Advances). That means that their inflammatory response is incredibly elevated and there are little to no good bacteria functioning in their mouths anymore. Once again, that gives bad bacteria, viruses, and other infections the freedom to grow and cause cavities, gum disease, periodontitis, and even oral cancer down the road. Periodontitis is normally a diseases that is only seen in adults, but because of vaping, it is appearing in more and more young patients.
Oral Health Means Better Overall Health
We've talked several times about how oral health can seriously influence your overall health. Infections in your gum line can enter the bloodstream and cause a more widespread infection. There are even studies that show bad oral health can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, and even stroke. So, while you may think that your dentist can just fix your teeth when you get a cavity, you could actually be endangering your whole body when you ignore dental health. Access Dental and Dentures is here for you to help you take the right steps toward a healthier mouth, and a healthier life. We have the best dental clinics in southern Missouri, with several convenient locations near you. Call today to schedule an appointment!
