Can Vaping Affect My Oral Health?

While the effects of smoking on oral hygiene has been well documented, many people are uncertain of the consequences of vaping on our teeth and gums. As e-cigarettes and disposable vapes continue to rise in popularity, it’s important to consider how using these devices can impact your oral health.

Read on if you’re interested in finding out how smoking and vaping can affect your teeth and the consensus among professionals on any subsequent oral health issues.



Is vaping a healthier alternative than smoking for my teeth?

Vaping is often considered to be a healthier alternative to smoking.

Smoking impacts your oral hygiene in a number of ways. These can include:

●     Increased risk of bacteria and infection

●     Teeth staining

●     Poor circulation

●     Tooth loss

●     Gum disease

●     Mouth cancer

If you are a smoker, switching to vaping and cutting tobacco can reduce some of these negative effects - especially the chance of getting mouth cancer. It is generally agreed that vaping is a much safer option than smoking for existing smokers.

However, many people are increasingly questioning if non-smokers who choose to take up vaping are putting themselves at unnecessary risk.

What are the possible side effects of vaping on my mouth?

Contrary to popular belief, vaping is not ‘risk-free’.

While vapes are a safer replacement for those who are attempting to give up smoking, they are more frequently used by non-smokers. Due to the addictive nature of nicotine, this can be harmful, especially in the case of children. While the UK has safeguarding laws to prevent the sale of nicotine to those under 18s, vapes are becoming a commonplace sight in the playground due to their fruity flavours and colourful packaging.

Here are some of the reported effects of vaping on your teeth and gums:

●     An increase of bacteria in the mouth - this is associated with tooth decay, cavities and gum disease

●     Dry mouth

●     Bad breath

●     Inflamed gums 

●     Gum disease

It has become increasingly common for young users, who were not smokers before using vapes, to notice bleeding gums and toothache.

It has also been alleged that vaping carries a risk, of an unknown degree, of developing dental cavities. However, there have not been enough long-term studies to scientifically verify this.

What’s the verdict?

The effects of vaping have not been studied comprehensively enough for dental experts to draw firm conclusions. The general consensus is that deciding whether to condone long-term use should be a balanced judgement between smoking relapse prevention and the risk of harmful effects from vapes and e-cigarettes themselves. Often, it is only appropriate to give advice on an individual basis.

If you’re concerned about the effect of vaping on your teeth or have any other queries, you might benefit from making an appointment for a dental checkup and speaking to local dentists. Acorn Dental Health is a family-friendly dental practice that puts our patients at the heart of everything we do. Contact us now to find out how we can help you.