From the Desk of Dr. Pink

Vaping, Oral Health and Your Kids

There are many stories in the news lately about the risks of vaping or e-cigarettes to your health. But, what about your oral health. Are they as bad as cigarettes for your mouth?

Although the level of nicotine is lower in e-cigarettes, it is still present and at a high enough level to cause problems. E-cigarettes also include other chemicals that can cause issues we don't see with cigarettes. Another problem is that they appeal to the younger population so we are seeing a rise in oral health issues for kids.

Here are a few of the issues we see:

• Dry mouth: the chemicals in e-cigarettes and can cause cavities or gum disease.
• Increased bacteria: many e-liquids contain sweeteners, which allow bacteria to stick to softer teeth easier and can lead to decay.
• Oral disfigurement: there is a risk of these devices exploding and causing oral disfigurement. Users have lost teeth, injured their gums and suffered burns.
• Tooth discoloration: nicotine can stain teeth.

Talk to your kids today about the oral health issues associated with vaping. You can even find images online to show them the harm it can cause to their teeth. Encourage them to take steps to maintain their oral health rather than harming it.

Author: Michael J. Pink DDS
Last updated: 02/2021
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