Vaping and its Effects on Your Oral Health

It is no secret that smoking is bad for your oral health. Cigarettes sales are decreasing, while vaping or smoking e-cigarettes, is on the rise. E-cigarettes use vapor to deliver vaping juice, some with nicotine, to the lungs and have a serious impact on oral health.

Dry Mouth

Vaping dries the mouth, which contributes to tooth decay. Saliva protects the teeth by dissolving food particles, promotes the growth of good bacteria, and slows damaging bacteria. Dry mouth allows harmful bacteria to grow, causes bad breath, and decays the teeth. Regular brushing helps but bacteria to grow too fast with dry mouth.

Negative Effects of Nicotine

Many types of vaping juice contains harmful nicotine. With nicotine use comes increased teeth grinding because it stimulates the muscles in the jaw. Consistent grinding wears down the teeth. Nicotine also reduces blood flow to the gums. Without blood flow, oxygen and nutrients do not reach the gums, the tissue begins to die, and the gums recede. More of the tooth is exposed to harmful bacteria when the gums recede. If untreated, it can expose the root and result in tooth loss if supporting tissue and bone become damaged. Restricted blood flow also makes periodontal disease harder to detect because it hides symptoms like bleeding, swollen gums.

If you vape, it is important to stay on top of your oral health. Contact Caroline Smiles Dentistry to schedule regular cleanings. Your dentist will answer any questions about the oral health risks of vaping.

If you have any dental concerns, the friendly staff at Carolina Smiles Dentistry is here to help. Give us a call at 919-620-6700 to schedule a visit today!

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