Though it’s popularly considered smoking’s healthier cousin, vaping appears to have some health consequences associated with it. New research indicates that vaping is bad for teeth, with the nicotine in e-cigarettes decreasing blood flow to the gums and teeth, leading to gum disease and tooth loss.

And that’s just the start of the possible health consequences associated with vaping…

While the history of vaping can be traced back to the 1960s (when a Chinese pharmacist named Hon Lik invented the first electronic cigarette), it wasn’t until the early 2000s that vaping began to gain popularity as a safer alternative to smoking. 

In recent years however, vaping has faced increasing scrutiny due to its association with a number of serious health problems, including lung injury and even death.

Possible vaping side effects

Lifestyle has an impact on wellbeing. Vaping can have negative health impacts*, some of which include:

  • Respiratory problems: inhalation of vapour can irritate the lungs and lead to breathing difficulties such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
  • Nicotine addiction: most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is addictive and can harm brain development in young people.
  • Cardiovascular disease: nicotine in e-cigarettes can increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke.
  • Flavourings: some flavourings used in e-cigarettes have been linked to respiratory problems and lung damage.
  • Heavy metal exposure: e-cigarette aerosol can contain toxic heavy metals, such as lead and cadmium, which can be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Secondhand exposure: e-cigarette aerosol is not harmless and can contain harmful chemicals, including nicotine and heavy metals, which can be harmful to people exposed to it.

In response, many countries and states have implemented laws and regulations to restrict the sale and use of e-cigarettes. Despite this, the vaping industry continues to grow and evolve, with new devices and products being introduced regularly.

*It’s worth noting that the long-term health effects of vaping are not fully understood, as e-cigarettes are relatively new products.

Is vaping bad for teeth?

Yes, vaping can be bad for your teeth. The high heat produced by the e-cigarette can cause tooth dryness and increase the risk of cavities and gum disease. In addition, many e-cigarette liquids contain sugar and other harmful chemicals that can stick to teeth and contribute to tooth decay. 

A recent study conducted by faculty from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine found that patients who reported using vaping devices had a higher risk of cavities compared to those who did not. 

A cross-sectional study of 13,098 patients found that there was a significant difference in the levels of caries risk between individuals who used e-cigarettes or vapes and those who didn’t (the control group). The study also found that this difference has a probability value of less than 0.001, which indicates a high level of statistical significance.

The research suggests that using vaping devices may have negative impacts on oral health so it is important to consider these potential health risks when making decisions about using these devices.

Study lead Karina Irusa from Tufts University “says it’s not possible to say that vaping definitely causes tooth cavities, but there’s a likely association between the two”.

“‘We stumbled upon this [potential link] by accident, and then the more we learned about it, the more we thought, ‘OK, this could be a bad thing.'”

The report concludes that there was an association between the use of e-cigarettes or vapes and caries risk level of patients – vaping patients had a higher risk of developing caries.

“Within the study limitations, it was recommended that use of e-cigarettes or vapes should not only be included in the routine dental-medical history questionnaire, but also among the risk factors that increase a patient’s caries risk level.”

Is vaping bad for your bones?

That’s not the only way vaping can be bad for teeth. Studies have indicated that nicotine in e-cigarettes can have a negative impact on the bone density of the jaw, which can increase the risk of tooth loss. The effects of nicotine on the bones in the jaw have been attributed to its ability to reduce blood flow and decrease the production of new bone cells. This can lead to a reduction in the density of the jawbone and make it more susceptible to tooth loss and other oral health problems. However, more research is needed to fully understand the potential long-term effects of nicotine on oral health, and the role that e-cigarettes specifically may play in this.

If you have concerns about the effects of vaping on your oral health, or any other issue you’d like to address, contact the Simply Dental team on 0800 123 343 or make an appointment online.