Smoking tobacco has never been good for our bodies and oral health. It drastically increases your risk of oral cancer, gum disease, dental plaque, and bad breath. Vaping does not appear to pose fewer oral health risks than smoking. Are you familiar with many health risks associated with vaping, such as developing heart disease or having a seizure? These are not all, but the list keeps growing.
According to Pew Research, two in ten Americans ages 18 to 29 vape. One-fifth of adults under 30 think vaping is very harmful to health, compared with 40% of adults ages 30 to 64 and 48% of those 65 and older. Students in grades six through twelve said they were introduced to e-cigarettes by friends or family. According to the research, young people are likelier to think vaping has lesser harmful effects. However, most people think smoking conventional cigarettes is dangerous for their health.
Do you know vaping alters natural bacteria in the mouth, making you more vulnerable to inflammation and oral infections? All e-cigarettes are vapes but not all vapes are e-cigarettes. Some of the adverse effects on your teeth and gums are:
- Excess bacteria – Studies have found that teeth exposed to e-cigarette aerosol had more bacteria than those who didn’t, which means tooth decay, gum diseases, and cavities.
- Dry mouth – Some e-cigarettes base liquids can cause mouth dryness. Mouth dryness is associated with bad breath, mouth sores, and tooth decay.
- Inflamed gums – E-cigarettes can cause inflamed gums.
- Irritation – Vaping can dry and irritate your mouth, resulting in redness and swelling.
- Cells death – Aerosol can increase inflammation and DNA damage. It can affect the power of cells to divide.
Take Control of Your Oral Health
- Avoid dry mouth – You must drink lots of water and avoid any sugary drinks.
- Fluoride toothpaste – Brush twice a day, especially 20 minutes after vaping. If you drink something acidic and brush immediately after it, it can weaken your enamel. It would be better to brush after some time.
- Clean between your teeth – Use floss to remove tidbits from your teeth, but vapers with huge gaps between teeth can use oral irrigators.
- Dentist visit – It is vital to go for regular check-ups at the dentist.
If you would like to schedule a regular check-up appointment, call Foothill Dental Care at (925) 961-5484 today.