ToothHQ Dental Specialist Logo

Does Vaping Provide Gum Disease? is it Bad or Good?

dental care, oral health, dental health, oral care, gum disease, periodontal disease, oral cancer, vaping

Not long ago, vaping became popular. It was considered as a safer alternative to smoking and possibly even an instrument to help people quit smoking. This type of advertising has led many people to jump on the bandwagon even before the product, and its long-term effects have been tested. Many of the results have come in, and it does not look good for oral health. 

What is Vaping?

The actions responsible for inhaling & exhaling the vapor via electric smoker are termed Vaping. It involves some unhealthy elements like nicotine, tobacco, and other stuff that can cause severe gum disease

Speaking of, the first electronic cigarette was created in Beijing, China. It was invented by Hon Lik, a 52-year-old pharmacist who was the inventor and smoker himself. Since then, it has become a widespread addiction among adults especially. Now let us study the key ingredients and disadvantages associated with vaping. 

Nicotine – The Key Ingredient

No matter how you look at it, there is nothing good about nicotine. It cannot be rendered harmless. This means that even the most minor amounts can damage tissue and all your organs. Some e-cigarettes allow the user to increase the amount of nicotine delivered, making it possible to get even more nicotine than in a regular cigarette. Thus, making it dangerous to your dental health

Fewer Chemicals

In some ways, it might be admitted that e-cigs are better than traditional cigarettes. An e-cigarette and its liquid do not have as many chemical compounds as cigarettes – which have more than 7,000. However, this can also be said of e-cigs and the vapor it produces. When the heating element heats the liquid, it may be adding some metal vapor into the mixture – and the metals used are known to be carcinogenic. But still, its regular utilization may lead to bad oral health

Addiction

One of the reasons why people feel they need a nicotine kick is because nicotine is highly addicting. This drug helps ensure that people will continue to use it in one form or another. Even though e-cigarettes have been touted as being able to help people quit smoking, it has not yet been proven to help. 

Is Vaping Dangerous To Oral Health?

The proof that there is not much difference between regular cigarette smoking and vaping is that both produce the same effect on your teeth and gums. The damage is seen in three different ways. 

1. Reduces the Oxygen Levels in Your Blood

The threat to your oral health starts when the nicotine reduces the flow of blood in your gums. This will hurt your gums in two ways. First, it will cut back on the amount of oxygen in your gums; and secondly, it will reduce the flow of nutrients that can help your gums stay healthy.

2. Causes Receding Gums

As blood flow is reduced and the blood vessels decrease in size, your gum tissue starts to die, causing them to get smaller and recede. When the gums recede, it exposes the roots of your teeth to the bacteria in your mouth – and cavities can quickly form. Another reason that nicotine will lead to receding gums is that it causes inflammatory proteins to be released. 

3. Reduce Your Immune System’s Effectiveness

Your gums are constantly fighting many types of bacteria in your mouth to prevent gum disease. When your blood flow is reduced, this enables the bacteria to get the upper hand. Before long, the bacteria kept in balance is now out of control, and your dental health will rapidly decline. 

4. It May Worsen Teeth Grinding

Nicotine takes the part of a stimulant that makes the muscles want to move. If you already have the habit of grinding your teeth, the nicotine will make it worse. If you do not hold this habit, it could lead you to start. Teeth grinding damages teeth by causing chipped and cracked teeth, and it also shortens them. 

What Are The Effects Of Vaping On Periodontal Disease?

Nicotine and other chemicals in both cigarettes and an electric smoker can lead to periodontal disease. This disease is a severe problem, and it has wide-ranging effects – but it often works quietly – for a while. 

The bacteria in your mouth stick into your gums, and an immune reaction is started. This becomes an autoimmune problem, and your immune system starts attacking the bacteria, the support structures for your teeth and jawbone. Before long, some of your teeth will start to become loose, and some could even fall out.

Superb Remedy for Periodontal Disease

When you suddenly realize that vaping or smoking has given you this horrible disease called periodontitis and you want it stopped, it will cost. Once you have periodontitis, you cannot stop it yourself – it is too late. You will need the aid of a periodontist because the bacteria are in the gums and flowing through your bloodstream – where it is also causing severe other damage. 

Dr. Venkataraman, DDS

Meet Our Dentist – Periodontist, Dr. Archana Venkataraman, DDS, MSD, a Board-Certified Periodontist at ToothHQ Dental Specialists Grapevine. Dr. Venkataraman can’t wait to meet you and discuss your teeth replacement options.