Published: 19 October 2023
19 October 2023
Did you know that you risk damage to your mouth, throat, teeth, and gums from regular vaping?
Chief Dental Officer Dr Mark Brown said there is increasing evidence that vaping may impact oral health and use of e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, are not recommended.
“It’s not only tobacco smoking that can affect oral health and have other health risks. When vape juice is heated it can potentially damage enamel and irritate soft tissue. As the ingredients tend to be thick and sticky, vapers may be at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease,” Dr Brown said.
“Vape juice contains propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). While these are common food additives, when consumed through a vape, PG breaks down to be acidic which can erode / dissolve / soften tooth enamel and promote growth of plaque and harmful bacteria.
“VG combined with sweetened vape flavourings can help bacteria to stick to teeth and soft tissues, as well as soften tooth enamel.
“A common side effect of vaping is dry mouth, which can not only cause bad breath but can have serious effects on your oral health.
“Vaping can reduce saliva, which is important in protecting our teeth. Less saliva means your teeth are more susceptible to the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
“The oral health risks of dry mouth are compounded if people consume sweetened drinks, such as flavoured milks, energy drinks and soft drinks instead of water to combat the effects, which can then provide a greater food source for bacteria.”
Dr Brown advised that vaping can also discolour teeth.
“We know that younger people are increasingly using vapes, but they should be aware of the risks to their oral health,” he said.
“Having healthy teeth is not only important for eating, smiling and speaking, but they also influence self-esteem.
“If you do smoke or vape, it’s very important you visit your dentist regularly. They will let you know what timing is best for you and can do regular oral health and mouth cancerchecks.”
For information and support on how to quit smoking or vaping, you can call Quitline on 13 78 48. Quitline is a confidential, free service that will provide you with information, advice and assistance tailored to your needs. Counsellors are available seven days a week.
You can also access information on quitting smoking or vaping at Quit HQ.
ENDS
FAQs
When vape juice is heated it can potentially damage enamel and irritate soft tissue. As the ingredients tend to be thick and sticky, vapers may be at a higher risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease,” Dr Brown said. “Vape juice contains propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG).
Will vaping ruin my teeth? ›
One of the main ingredients in vape juice is propylene glycol (PG), which is safe to eat and inhale but when used orally breaks down into acids that damage enamel, and propionaldehyde, which irritates soft tissue. PG also causes dry mouth, taking away essential saliva, leading to cavities and gum disease.
Can dentists tell if you vape? ›
Dentists can identify several signs that may suggest a patient vapes; one of the most common indicators is dry mouth or xerostomia. Patients who vape frequently may also exhibit signs of gum inflammation, such as redness or swelling, without the telltale tobacco stains seen in traditional smokers.
Will my gums heal if I stop vaping? ›
If you stop vaping, your gum health with dramatically improve. Regardless of how long you've been vaping, when you stop, the blood vessels inside your gum tissue gradually begin to heal and improve the circulation of blood inside your mouth.
Is vaping worse than smoking? ›
1: Vaping is less harmful than smoking, but it's still not safe. E-cigarettes heat nicotine (extracted from tobacco), flavorings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. Regular tobacco cigarettes contain 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic.
How do I stop vaping from ruining my teeth? ›
The following may help reduce your risk for side effects:
- Limit your nicotine intake. Opting for low-nicotine or nicotine-free juices can help limit the negative effects of nicotine on your teeth and gums.
- Drink water after you vape. ...
- Brush your teeth twice a day. ...
- Floss before bed. ...
- Visit a dentist on a regular basis.
The most common types of side effects reported by people who use vaping products are throat and mouth irritation, headache, cough, and nausea. More research is needed to establish the risks of long-term vaping product use on developing cancer, cardiovascular, respiratory, and other diseases.
How long do you have to vape to get gum disease? ›
Changes to gum health
All participants had some gum disease at the start of the study, with cigarette smokers having the most severe disease, followed by e-cigarette users. After 6 months, the researchers observed that gum disease had worsened in some participants in each group, including several e-cigarette users.
Can gums grow back? ›
The simple answer is, no. If your gums are damaged by, for example periodontitis, the most severe form of gum disease, it's not possible for receding gums to grow back. However, even though receding gums can't be reversed there are treatments that can help to stop the problem from getting worse.
Will my lungs heal if I stop vaping? ›
Additionally, quitting vaping will improve your blood circulation and enable your lungs to begin healing. This will result in fewer coughing episodes and improved breathing ability during physical activity.
9 Safest Vapes for Health-Conscious Users - 2024
- ELFBAR BC5000 Ultra: The Safest Vape For Nicotine.
- Tribe Tokes CBD All-In-One: The Safest CBD Vape Pen.
- ELFBAR 600: The Safest Low-Nicotine Vape.
- SKE Crystal Bar: The Safest Nicotine Vape For Battery Issues.
- CAPNOS E-Z: The Safest Vape That's Not A Vape.
One estimate assumes an average smoker finishes a cigarette in around 10 to 15 puffs in 5 to 8 minutes. Considering a vaper using a 5% nicotine e-liquid in a basic refillable pod device, they may need somewhere between 30-50 puffs to ingest a similar amount of nicotine.
What are 10 dangers of vaping? ›
Serious vaping side effects may include:
- Nicotine addiction.
- Severe lung injury.
- Seizures.
- Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), formerly known as idiopathic bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia (BOOP)
- Popcorn lung.
- Strokes.
- Heart attacks.
Vaping can cause discoloration and staining on your teeth. That is because the nicotine in e-cigarettes is yellow, and it can cling to your teeth and cause them to yellow over time. In addition, the flavorings in e-cigarettes can also stain your teeth.
Is it bad to have vape liquid in your mouth? ›
E-liquid products are not always labelled accurately and there is no guarantee that a product does not contain nicotine. Nicotine is a poison. If swallowed it can cause serious illness and, in some cases, death. Children and pets are at high risk of harm due to poisoning caused by swallowing an e-liquid.
Should you brush your teeth after vaping? ›
Additionally, plaque can build up if you don't brush your teeth regularly after vaping, leading to tooth discoloration. To prevent long-term staining, brushing your teeth immediately after vaping is a good idea.
Does vaping make you gain weight? ›
Some in vitro studies found no significant association between e-cigarettes and body weight changes. Human studies demonstrated mixed results regarding weight management behaviors and e-cigarette usage. Some report that vaping helps with weight management or assists in managing weight gain after quitting smoking.
