Adolescent Dentistry
Vaping and Your Oral Health
Years ago, tobacco use was the leading cause of mouth disease. Now vaping and e-cigarettes are the trend for this generation of adolescents. Whether it is their friends or other people in their lives using e-cigarettes, vaping is sometimes seen as an alternative to smoking tobacco, thus making vaping seem harmless. Unfortunately, recent studies have shown that e-cigarettes harm the lungs, mouth, and teeth. Many e-cigarettes contain different flavors that are not regulated and are marketed to young people. These flavors are usually mixed with vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol, with artificial sweeteners giving the vape a sweeter taste and smell. When inhaled in vapor form, these chemicals cause decreased saliva flow and subsequent dry mouth. When our mouth is too dry, bacteria can stick to the teeth more easily. Increased bacteria levels can then lead to increased chances for cavities and a gum infection called periodontitis. This gum infection is also common in tobacco users and can lead to disease in other areas of the body.
The bottom line is to avoid vaping in the first place. And if you have started vaping, the next step is to find help to quit. The National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offer resources to help you stop the use of e-cigarettes. Your mouth and your health are worth it!
Sources:
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.599664/full#h5
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/e-cigarettes-vaping-linked-to-increased-risk-of-tooth-decay-cavities
https://jada.ada.org/article/S0002-8177(22)00577-3/fulltext
https://smokefree.gov
Tobacco – Bad News In Any Form
Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your teen’s oral health and cause incurable damage. Teach your child about the dangers of tobacco.
Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teens who believe it is a safe alternative to cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. In as little as three to four months, smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias.
If your child is a tobacco user, you should watch for the following that could be early signs of oral cancer:
- A sore that won’t heal.
- White or red leathery patches on the lips, and on or under the tongue.
- Pain, tenderness, or numbness anywhere in the mouth or lips.
- Difficulty chewing, swallowing, speaking, or moving the jaw or tongue; or a change in the way the teeth fit together.
Because the early signs of oral cancer usually are not painful, people often ignore them. Oral cancer can require extensive, sometimes disfiguring, surgery if it’s not caught in the early stages. Even worse, it can kill.
Help your child avoid tobacco in any form. Doing so will avoid bringing cancer-causing chemicals in direct contact with their tongue, gums, and cheek.