Up In Smoke: Vaping & Your Oral Health

October 12th, 2020

Vaping, or the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is becoming increasingly common, especially among young adults and teenagers. In fact, a recent study found that 20% of high-school students and 5% of middle school students reported having vaped within the past month. Preliminary studies suggest that vaping is less harmful than smoking cigarettes, yet it still poses many risks to oral health. For example, vaping can lead to an excess of bad bacteria in the mouth, which can pocket in crevices between teeth resulting in tooth decay, cavities and bad breath. It can also cause dry mouth, gum inflammation, and cell death, which can result in various periodontal diseases, tooth loss and bone loss.

Here at Smile Rx Dental, we pride ourselves on educating our patients of the risks certain activities can have on their oral health, whether it be smoking/vaping or using various products for teeth whitening. The most important thing we tell our patients regarding vaping or smoking is that prevention, or early intervention of decay and disease is key to protecting your oral health and your overall health. So, please be sure to visit your dentist for your routine cleanings and check-ups. We are here for you!