Vaping And Its Effect On Oral Health
While vaping is considered to be less harmful than smoking, the impact on our oral health is increasingly a cause of concern. The chemicals contained in electronic cigarettes accelerate the risk of gum disease.
Saliva plays a major role in maintaining our oral health by cleansing away the food particles, further preventing the bacterial growth in our mouth. The chemicals found in electronic cigarettes decrease the production of saliva in our mouth, leading to dryness of the mouth, which further multiplies the risk of tooth decay and bad breath.
Vaping causes gum inflammation as the chemicals present in e-cigarettes damage the cells in our mouth and constricts the blood vessels. This slows the healing process, which leads to gingivitis or tooth loss and can even affect the jawbone in the long term.
Over time, vaping also leads to staining and discolouration of tooth enamel due to the harmful substances present in vape pen.
The sweetened flavour which is present in electronic cigarettes promotes bacterial growth in our mouth contributing to build up plaque and cavity. Vaping also irritates the soft tissues leading to ulcers.