How Vaping Effects Your Dental Health
We all know that the use of e-cigarettes, better known as vaping, poses significant adverse health risks for our heart and lungs. But what does it do to our dental health?
E-cigarettes contain chemicals such as water, nicotine, flavorings, and a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin base that produce an aerosol when the chemicals are heated. So what exactly do these chemical to the inside of your mouth?
Nicotine
Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums, and effect cell immune function contributing to periodontal disease. This lack of blood flow also prevents the mouth from healing as fast as it usually would, contributing to the risk of receding gums and oral cancer.
Propylene Glycol
When broken down in the mouth, Propylene Glycol introduces several toxic byproducts to the tooth enamel and soft tissues of the mouth. These byproducts breakdown the enamel, weaken the teeth and leave them at risk of decay. It also causes dehydration, and dries out the mouth limiting saliva production. Over time, the lack of saliva increases the risk of gum disease and cavities.
Vegetable Glycerin
When mixed with flavorings, Vegetable Glycerin can cause a decrease in tooth enamel by up to 27%, intensifying tooth sensitivity and contributing to decay. It increases the adhesion of bacteria to the teeth potentiating the risk of cavities, gum inflammation and bad breath.
Even though the mouth heals faster than any other part of the body, the continual trauma of introducing these harmful chemicals becomes problematic, causing issues that are irreversible such as tooth loss and periodontitis.
It’s Never Too Late To Quit
As you can see, there are many reasons vaping is terrible for your dental health. When you add that to what it is doing to your overall health it should be inspiring to make the choice to quit. We know quitting isn’t easy. Be sure to talk to your health care provider as they can offer many types of options to help you quit. The American Lung Association is a great place to start and offers some good advice.
Looking for more information? Contact Wurzbach Parkway Family Dental at (210) 877-2273 today to set up an appointment today!
