Implications of Vaping on Oral Health
Vaping has significant negative effects on oral health, including increased risk of periodontal disease, dental caries, and potential oral mucosal changes, though these effects may be less severe than those caused by traditional cigarettes. 1, 2
Effects of Vaping on Oral Tissues
Vaping produces a thick, viscous vapor that is retained on oral tissues, potentially leading to increased caries risk, especially with sweet-flavored e-liquids that contain sucrose, sucralose, and ethyl maltol 3
E-cigarette use is associated with an increased risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease compared to non-smokers, though these effects appear less severe than those seen with traditional cigarette smoking 1, 2
Vaping reduces the antioxidant capacity of saliva, compromising its protective functions and potentially increasing susceptibility to oral diseases 1, 2
E-cigarette aerosols can negatively affect the oral microbiome by suppressing beneficial bacteria and promoting growth of pathogenic species responsible for oral disorders 2
Specific Oral Health Concerns
Dental caries: Unusual patterns of dental caries have been observed in regular vapers, potentially related to the high sugar content in flavored e-liquids 3
Periodontal health: Initial reports suggest that e-cigarettes affect periodontal tissues similarly to conventional cigarettes, though possibly to a lesser extent 3, 2
Oral mucosa: Vaping has been associated with oral mucosal changes and lesions, though long-term studies on oral cancer risk are still needed 4, 2
Teeth discoloration: E-cigarette use has been linked to teeth staining, adding to aesthetic oral health concerns 2
Clinical Considerations
Nicotine found in e-cigarettes can interfere with salivary biomarker quantification, affecting oral diagnostic tests 5
Healthcare providers should advise patients to refrain from smoking/vaping/consuming nicotine-containing products at least 4 hours before any oral health assessment or saliva sampling 5
Dental professionals should routinely question patients about their vaping habits as part of the medical-dental history 3
Patients who visit dental care professionals regularly (every 6 months) are more likely to be receptive to guidance about quitting vaping 6
Patient Education and Awareness
Young adults (18-24 years) demonstrate a lack of knowledge about the oral health effects of vaping but express willingness to discuss these effects with dental professionals 6
Approximately 65% of e-cigarette users would potentially reduce (30%) or quit (24%) if they believed vaping was harmful to their oral health 6
The American Diabetes Association recommends that healthcare providers advise individuals to avoid vaping and using e-cigarettes, either as a way to stop smoking tobacco or as a recreational activity 7
Many people incorrectly perceive e-cigarettes as harmless or significantly less harmful than traditional cigarettes, highlighting the need for better patient education 8, 7
Research Limitations and Future Directions
Long-term studies on the effects of vaping on oral health, particularly regarding oral cancer risk, are still needed 4
There are over 10,000 different vaping liquids available, with varying compositions that may have different effects on oral health 3
The widespread prevalence of vaping, especially among young people, highlights the urgency of awareness campaigns about potential oral health risks 1
Additional well-designed, longitudinal studies of larger and homogenous groups of e-cigarette users are required to fully understand the oral health implications 2