Vaping has emerged as an alternative to traditional smoking in recent years. In part, this may be due to the perception that vaping is a healthier choice.
That’s not necessarily the case. Although vaping might not carry all the same health risks as smoking and using chewing tobacco, it still poses a threat to your oral wellness.
What You Need to Know About Vaping
Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reveals:
- 4.5 percent of surveyed adults reported using e-cigarettes in 2021.
- Those most likely to use e-cigarettes are adults between the ages of 18 and 24.
- Although men vape slightly more than women, the difference in usage isn’t significant.
- E-cigarette use tends to decrease with age and family income across genders.
- Adults 45 and older are least likely to vape or use e-cigarettes out of the age groups in the CDC’s research.
Such research confirms that vaping is fairly popular among some adults. However, they might not know how it can affect their oral health.
Vaping and Oral Health
The idea that vaping is substantially less dangerous than smoking is potentially a myth. Because vaping is relatively new, more research is necessary to determine the extent to which it causes the same health problems smoking causes.
That said, according to a piece in Nature, the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP) has already concluded that vaping can harm gums and oral health just as much as traditional cigarettes can. While current research may be limited, there is already enough evidence to suggest vaping isn’t any better than smoking.
Vaping Doesn’t Eliminate Nicotine
Vaping might eliminate tobacco. However, many e-cigarettes and similar products still deliver nicotine to users.
That’s one of the reasons vaping is bad for your oral health. Nicotine restricts blood flow to the gums. When the gums don’t get enough blood, they don’t get enough nutrients. A long-term vaper may develop gum health issues as a result.
Vaping Isn’t a Way to Quit Smoking
Some who vape do so because they believe it will help them quit smoking. Unfortunately, they may not be protecting their health to the degree they assume by opting for e-cigarettes.
The EFP has stated that medical professionals should stop highlighting vaping as a way to quit using tobacco products. Instead, they should encourage patients to avoid both tobacco products and vaping. Emphasizing total cessation may be more effective than promoting a smoking alternative that could be just as risky as smoking itself.
Learn More About Vaping’s Effect on Your Oral Health
Do you currently vape? Striving to quit is important if so.
In the meantime, it’s also essential to address any health issues vaping might have already caused. The team at Babylon Dental Care can help. If you vape, schedule an appointment with our West Babylon, New York, dentist sooner rather than later. We’ll check your oral health, address any issues we discover, and provide you with more information about the harm vaping can do, without any judgment. Get started today by contacting us online or calling us at (631) 983-6665.
