Effects of Vaping on Teeth

The Effects of Vaping On Teeth And Gums

A Vape or E-cigarette is one of the more common alternatives for those who want to switch out of cigarettes and go in for a less harmful option. Today, there is no shortage of options for those who like vaping, and more and more people are opting for this alternative.

Even though a vape is more commonly known to be a healthier alternative, there are still a number of risks associated with the practice of vaping. Individuals often fail to realize the risks that they are taking on, and are often misled by posts and false information about vaping being 100% safe.

courtesy of pixabay.com

Effects of Vaping

One of the parts of the body that tends to take the hardest hit from any kind of vaping is one’s teeth. Vaping can cause a considerable amount of damage to one’s gums and teeth and can lead to the deterioration of one’s oral health. Here are some of the effects that one experiences with regards to their dental health when they start vaping on a regular basis:

1. Deteriorating Tissues

One of the biggest reasons why people tend to go in for vapes over cigarettes is because of the reduced smoke that they receive. When a person starts to smoke, there is a certain amount of second-hand smoke that has rather harmful effects on one’s system. When an individual turn to vaping, the amount of second-hand smoke that they take in is gradually reduced. However, just because there is a lack of smoke doesn’t mean that there is no contact with nicotine at all.

While vaping, there is still a certain amount of tobacco that is injected, which can cause a certain amount of damage to one’s teeth and gum. When a person comes into contact with nicotine, the blood flow in that part that comes into contact is significantly reduced. Because of the restricted blood flow, the amount of nutrients and oxygen that this part of the mouth receives is also significantly reduced. This can eventually lead to the deterioration of soft tissues in the mouth, leading to the deterioration of this part of the mouth.

2. Receding Gums

Because of the contact that one experiences with nicotine in vapes, there is a considerable amount of damage that occurs in addition to the deteriorating tissues. The problem of receding gums is another problem that people commonly experience as a result of consistent vaping. Receding gums are not only problematic because of the implications that might arise, but are also aesthetically not as good looking. Because of this, those who want to take care of the appearance of their gums should ideally stay away from nicotine, even if it is in the form of vapes. There are a number of reasons why one should take care of the problem of receding gums at the earliest.

One of the reasons why this takes place in the gums of the teeth is because of the vapors intake as a result of vaping. When vaping, there are a certain amount of proteins are released. These may cause a certain amount of inflammation that can lead to a number of oral health problems. For those who want to prevent their oral health from deteriorating, regular visits to your orthodontist is a must, especially if you are someone who vapes on a regular basis.

3. Reduced Blood Circulation

One of the biggest impacts of nicotine from vapes is the reduced blood circulation that one might experience. When a person starts vaping, the blood circulation is reduced as a result of the damaged tissues and the presence of vapors that hinder its flow. When this happens, the body tends to undergo a number of additional changes, which can cause a strain on one’s overall health.

One of the more prominent effects of reduced blood circulation is the body’s ability to fight off bacteria. This means that the body is automatically weaker for someone who vapes on a regular basis. Because of the harsher impact that vaping has on the body, a person who vapes is a lot more prone to diseases and disorders. There are a number of health problems that can get accelerated as a result of the reduced blood circulation that takes place after a person vapes.

4. Tooth Staining and Permanent Damage

Even though the effects that vaping or using an E-cigarette are fairly short term, the damage that it can cause can last a lifetime. In severe cases, the impact of vapes can cause a person to experience a significant amount of damage to their teeth. One of the problems that may arise is that of tooth staining. When the teeth come into contact with nicotine, there is a certain amount of residue that gets left on the surface.

This settles on the teeth with repeated use, which can cause discoloration on the teeth. In severe cases, vaping has also caused the loss of a tooth as a result of decay. This is also something that is caused as a result of the reduced blood circulation in the mouth which makes it harder for the body to fight off any kind of infection that might arise.

Symptoms That May Arise

Even though there are a number of severe implications and effects of vape use, they don’t always present themselves in the quickest manner possible. Sometimes, disorders that affect the teeth and gums tend to slowly deteriorate over time, causing more damage the longer the teeth and gums are left untreated. Because of how important it is to treat these disorders at the earliest, knowing the symptoms that one can experience from the effects of vape use is incredibly important.

Here are some of the symptoms that one should be on the lookout for:

• Persistent Bad Breath
• Red, Swollen or Bleeding Gums
• Tenderness of Gums
• Wobbly Teeth
• Loss of Teeth
• Receding Gums

joelgluck

Dr. Joel Gluck has practiced orthodontics since 1983 when he opened his own office in Nashville. He earned his undergraduate degree at Washington University in St. Louis, and his dental degree at the University of Tennessee. Dr. Gluck then completed an orthodontic specialty residency at the University of Michigan, one of the top five orthodontic training residencies in the country. He also wrote an original thesis and received a Master of Science degree.