Vaping & Risk of Oral Infection

All Smiles • Oct 27, 2020

Vaping & Risk of Oral Infection. Dentists have been warning patients for many years that smoking affects oral health. Smoking also has detrimental effects on other health aspects, which is why many people decided to turn to vape instead. However, studies of vaping have shown that it is not a positive alternative to smoking if the goal is increased oral health. Although the use of e-cigarettes affects the mouth tissues differently than tobacco cigarettes, the effects can still be just as negative. Learning more about vaping and oral health can help individuals decide if kicking the habit for good should be prioritized.

Vaping and E-Cigarette Overview

Vaping is a widely-used term for the use of e-cigarettes, or vapes. E-cigarettes are often marketed as a replacement for tobacco-based paper cigarettes because of the difference in nicotine delivery. Most vapes consist of a device into which a cartridge of liquid is inserted. The liquid is turned into vapor using a heating element, expelled from the device through a mouthpiece, and inhaled by the consumer. Many vaping products include nicotine in the liquid, but some do not. Since e-cigarettes do not involve smoke, it is a common misconception that there are not any negative side effects, but when it comes to oral infections vaping is just as problematic.

The recent rise in vaping popularity means many people are participating in an activity that is highly marketed but not well-studied. Vapes have not been around long enough to know all the long-term effects. Even though vapers avoid the toxicity of smoke, e-juice still often contains cancer-causing agents and other toxic components. The effect of vaping on dental health has become more evident, leading dentists to recommend avoiding the practice altogether.

Dental Health and the Oral Microbiome

Many dental hygiene practices affect oral health. Brushing and flossing remove debris and prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar. The use of fluoride strengthens enamel and reduces evidence of natural wear and tear on the teeth. One of the lesser-known strategies to protect oral health is to maintain the oral microbiome. A microbiome, when disturbed, leads to a variety of health concerns.

To protect the oral microbiome, it is important to understand what it is. Some people believe the goal of keeping the mouth clean is to rid it of all bacteria, but microorganisms play a big role in your overall health. Microorganisms such as bacteria are always present in the mouth, which is a good thing because people need them to properly digest food and maintain a healthy immune system. When balanced, the bacteria help fight off infections and prevent an overgrowth of other types of bacteria that can be harmful and cause disease or decay.

Maintaining a healthy oral microbiome means the conditions of the mouth must remain balanced and optimal for these specific microorganisms to thrive. This means the mouth should stay moist and at a regulated temperature.

Unfortunately, some behaviors, such as smoking or vaping, affect the optimal conditions in the mouth and lead to a disruption of this delicate balance.

Vaping and Oral Health

Although many studies have been conducted over the years concerning smoking and its effects on the mouth, vaping is still a new enough trend that patients have not yet been followed over the long term. It is, however, already clear that vaping causes changes to the oral microbiome and therefore negatively affects oral health. When examining how vaping changes the environment in the mouth and throat, it makes sense that the beneficial microorganisms naturally found in these areas have difficulty flourishing.

Vaping changes the environment inside the mouth and throat in several ways. Like smokers, vapers often experience chronic dry mouth. A dry mouth, whether due to medication or external factors, can cause beneficial bacteria to die out. Once beneficial bacteria no lower crowd the available environment, more harmful types of bacteria are free to move in and multiply. Some harmful types of bacteria can survive in drier conditions, so the longer the dry mouth persists, the more harmful bacteria are allowed to take hold.

Vapor from e-cigarettes can also lead to chronic inflammatory conditions in the gums, soft tissues of the mouth, and throat. Chronic inflammation in these areas also makes it more difficult to fight off infections. Since the mouth is an important gateway to the interior of the body, it is essential to maintain a balance to reduce instances of infection and disease.

Harmful Bacteria and Patient Health

Dentists recommend against practices that disrupt a healthy oral microorganism balance because an overgrowth of harmful bacteria can lead to several problematic health conditions in the mouth, such as gingivitis, gum disease, tooth decay, and chronic halitosis. There is also a well-known link between dental issues and problems with the whole body as a system. Poor dental hygiene and health can be linked to heart disease, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.

Restoring a Healthy Microbiome

If your oral microbiome has been disrupted due to vaping, it is possible to restore your mouth to a healthy, functioning system once again. If you currently vape, deciding to quit is an important first step to restoration. Healthy bacteria need sufficient saliva production, so any lingering dry mouth concerns need to be corrected. Sufficient hydration is a great way to bring back the conditions that help mouth microorganisms thrive.

Visiting your dentist for assistance is the best way to get your oral hygiene back in good condition again. Your dentist removes any tartar or plaque buildup and addresses any decay that has been caused by harmful bacteria overgrowth. If gum disease has developed, the dentist helps you with a treatment plan and establishes dental hygiene practices that can resolve symptoms. If the enamel has been damaged, there are treatment options such as professionally-applied fluoride that serve to remineralize the teeth. Any patient who requires help to quit can also use a dental practice as a resource for reference materials.

Visit All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Jackson, TX

Many individuals have turned to vape as an alternative to smoking since the medical and dental problems caused by smoking are well-documented. Unfortunately, vaping comes with its own set of issues when it comes to dental health that should not be overlooked. One of the main concerns is the connection between vaping and the oral microbiome. A balanced microbiome in the mouth is essential to keeping diseases and decay in the mouth at bay, and since it is sensitive to external factors such as vaping or smoking, it is very easy to disrupt. A disrupted microbiome means greater chances of gum disease and tooth decay, and is also linked to difficulties with whole-body health.

More studies are needed to discover all the ways vaping affects a person’s health, but in the meantime, you can mitigate some of these issues with excellent dental care through your dentist. If you have any concerns or questions about vaping and its effects on oral health, would like to learn the benefits of stopping vaping, or would like to schedule an appointment for a cleaning and restoration, contact All Smiles Dentistry in Lake Jackson, for more information.

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