Find Out How Harmful Vaping is To Your Oral and Periodontal Health

For years, cigarettes were considered one of the most harmful products a person could use. Not only does it negatively impact their health, but it can lead to stains and discoloration, not to mention gum disease. Nowadays, the focus has turned to vape devices and e-cigarettes. Your dentist in Southlake weighs in on the issue to discuss how harmful these products are to your teeth and gums and what you can do to improve your oral health.  

What is Vaping?

Vaping is quickly becoming one of the more popular methods of smoking for both teens and adults. Marketed as a better alternative to cigarettes, more and more research is showing the use of e-cigarettes is also extremely harmful to a person’s overall health. But what is it?

Instead of using tobacco smoke, vape devices push out a vapor that helps to deliver nicotine to the lungs. Apart from the fact that nicotine is still prevalent in the vapor, so are toxic chemicals that can lead to gum disease, cancer, and other health-related problems.

What Can Happen if You Use These Tobacco-Related Products?

To start, vaping can increase your risk for:

• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Heart disease
• Respiratory disease
• Gastrointestinal cancer

While it wreaks havoc on your body, it is also causing problems for your teeth, gums, and overall oral cavity. Not only will the nicotine cause stain and discoloration on your teeth, but it will also lead to:

• Receding Gums – If your gum tissue begins to die as a result of a lack of oxygen and blood flow due to increased amounts of nicotine entering the bloodstream, you will begin to notice your gums receding.
• Dry Mouth – When nicotine begins to reduce the amount of saliva you are producing, this can lead to bad breath and a build-up of harmful bacteria.
• Gum Disease – Nicotine that is used in vaping can cause inflammation and swelling, both of which are key indicators for gum disease.
• Tooth Decay – If you combine dry mouth and bad breath, you will most likely experience the effects of tooth decay as a result of vaping.
• Bruxism – Excessive wear and tear on your teeth is another risk. Whether you already grind your teeth, once the nicotine is inhaled, it encourages your muscles to react and lead to clenching and grinding.

If you are struggling to quit smoking, no matter if it is cigarettes or vape devices, the time is now. By opting to kick the habit, you can add years back to your life. There are a multitude of available products you can purchase over the counter to help you quit as well as support groups who meet to serve as accountability partners in the difficult process. Do your body and your mouth a favor and quit smoking today. One day, you’ll be glad you did.

About the Author
Dr. J. Lee Pettigrew, DDS, PA, earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Dallas Baptist College before going on to earn his DDS degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Understanding that people would rather avoid a dental problem, Dr. Pettigrew and his team stress the importance of preventative dentistry. If a patient arrives with poor oral or periodontal health, lifestyle habits can often be the reason. In today’s society, smoking and vaping are taking a toll on people’s teeth and gums, which is why Dr. Pettigrew and his team are dedicated to helping patients put away their bad habits and embrace a better future for their mouths. To learn more about this “dentist near me,” visit our website or call (817) 481-4888.