Vaping and Your Oral Health
Using e-cigarettes, or “vaping,” has become an increasingly popular choice for people who want a cheaper and smokeless alternative to regular cigarettes. However, while you may not be filling the room and your lungs with smoke, your vaping habit can still produce consequences to your health. E-cigs still contain nicotine, a substance that is proven to be detrimental to your oral health.
How Nicotine Can Impact Your Smile
The research surrounding e-cigs and long-term health is ongoing. However, there are still some facts about vaping’s negative health effects that is worth sharing. We know, for example, that the nicotine found in all e-cigarettes can compromise the condition of the mouth, gums and tongue.
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which means it narrows the blood vessels of the body and restricts proper blood flow. The gums get the brunt of this, as they rely on an adequate supply of nutrient-rich blood to stay healthy. With limited blood supply, the gums can deteriorate and even recede. Furthermore, it can be more difficult to detect gum disease. As the effects of nicotine on the gums can mask signs such as puffiness, redness and bleeding that patients often experience during the first stage of gum disease.
The negative impact of nicotine doesn’t stop there. Nicotine inhalation can also cause low saliva production, or dry mouth. Your mouth needs proper amounts of saliva for many reasons. Without enough spit, you are more vulnerable to bacteria buildup, bad breath, decay and gum disease.
Lastly, a less known fact about nicotine is that it can make teeth grinding worse. Nicotine is considered a muscle stimulant, which can work to intensify your teeth grinding habit and worsen the resulting damage it can have on your pearly whites.
Stay on Top Of your Smile Health
At the office of Dr. Wayne Suway, we are dedicated to keeping your smile healthy at every stage of life. If you vape or use e-cigarettes, let us stay on top of your oral health so that your smile doesn’t suffer. We recommend attending your routine dental visits every six months. Schedule your smile check-up in Marietta today!
Posted on behalf of
1820 The Exchange SE, #600
Atlanta, GA 30339
Phone: (770) 953-1752
FAX: (770) 953-6470
Mon - Thu: 8:30 AM – 5:30 PMClosed for lunch: 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
