A Doctor Reveals Signs Vaping Negatively Affecting Your Health

The introduction of e-cigarettes brought with it the optimism of being a safer substitute to traditional tobacco smoking. However, growing concerns suggest that vaping may have its own unique set of health problems.

An orthodontist has recently raised alarm about the potential dental damage vaping could cause.

Impress’ chief orthodontist, Dr. Khaled Kasem, has highlighted four primary oral health threats linked to vaping.

Dehydration of the Mouth

According to Dr. Kasem, vape substances are loaded with chemicals such as propylene glycol which can lead to mouth dryness by suppressing saliva production.

He emphasized the importance of saliva in neutralizing oral acids, thereby preventing cavities.

Reduced saliva levels can escalate the likelihood of tooth decay and potentially result in tooth loss if not addressed properly.

Gum Diseases

The hot vapors from e-cigarettes can irritate gums and enhance the risk of gum diseases. Dr. Kasem explained that the usual symptoms of gum disease include “bleeding, swelling of the gums and in some cases, tooth loss.”

He further warned that nicotine, found in vape substances, impairs blood flow making it difficult to identify early gum disease symptoms in vapers.

This situation can subsequently increase the risk of severe gum diseases.

Bruxism or Grinding of the teeth

Dr. Kasem identified that nicotine, being a stimulant, can lead to teeth grinding, also referred to as bruxism.

Frequent teeth grinding can lead to a myriad of dental issues such as “jaw disorders, headaches, flattened or fractured teeth, increased tooth sensitivity and even tooth loss in some cases.”

Enamel Erosion

Dr. Kasem highlighted that tooth enamel, responsible for safeguarding teeth, can be weakened by the acidic and sweeteners-rich flavoured vapes.

“Once the enamel is damaged there is no going back, leaving the mouth vulnerable to bacteria and the catalyst of a range of oral health problems, such as cavities, tooth decay and tooth sensitivity.”

Additionally, he pointed out that vaping could impact the aesthetics of your teeth.

For those undergoing invisible aligner treatment, he recommends avoiding vaping as nicotine residue could stain the aligner trays and consequently discolor the teeth.

Dr. Kasem concluded by saying that more research is necessary to fully understand the implications of vaping on oral health.

Meanwhile, he suggested the best preventive measure is to “try and limit any nicotine intake, keep teeth clean, and drink plenty of water.”

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