We have covered in this blog multiple health issues attributed to vaping and teeth. To name a few, we can find news about: vaping and seizures, vaping and lung disease; vaping and acute respiratory problems, vaping leading to death, vaping and popcorn lungs, vaping and wet lungs, vaping and formaldehyde.
It’s amusing, but I have found a report about one case of a man that quit smoking for vaping. Furthermore, this man, in order to quench the dry mouth, he drank soft drinks. As a result of that, “this combination” left him with disastrous tooth decay, enamel erosion and tooth loss. In other words, poor oral hygiene caused his tooth problems.
I this article, I will cover the real fact about vaping and the effects of vaping on gums and teeth. Real or myth? Let’s see…
Vaping and teeth
Most of questions about vaping and teeth are: can vaping cause tooth decay? Does vaping cause yellow teeth? Or just simply: is vaping bad for your teeth?
The fast answer to these questions is “no”. Vaping doesn’t cause tooth decay nor yellow teeth.
However, propylene glycol can dry your mouth. If you feel your mouth dry after vaping, try to hydrate yourself with enough water. Nonetheless, some people that suffer from xerostomia may experience dryer mouth after vaping.
Vaping and xerostomia: what’s xerostomia?
Xerostomia is basically a lack of production of saliva. Xerostomia causes accumulation of bacteria in your mouth and hence the formation of plaque. In other words, saliva acts as natural cleanse for your mouth.
Usually, xerostomia is a symptom of various medical health issues. For instance, it is a common side effect of radiation to head and neck or side effects caused by many medicines.
However, it’s extremely unlikely that a vaper develops xerostomia. Perhaps, if you inhale e-liquids for 24 hours non-stop, then and perhaps then! You’ll develop xerostomia.
Vaping and mouth problems don’t have any connection. Moreover, the aforementioned case, was caused by a combination of soft drinks and vaping. To sum up, it was the soft drinks and lack of hygiene what caused tooth decay in that specific case.
Vaping and wisdom teeth?
This is another common concern. Can I vape after I get my wisdom teeth out? Usually physicians don’t recommend to smoke or vape nicotine two weeks prior a surgical operation. Generally, doctors advise against smoking because it increases the probability of getting a dry socket (a painful dental condition that may happen after tooth extraction). Apparently, tobacco smoking increases the probability of getting a dry socket by 12%. However, although not recommended to vape at least 48 hours after surgery, there is no scientific data to state that vaping can increase the chances of getting a dry socket.
What causes tooth decay?
Firstly, let me say this. I floss and brush my teeth every day every time after my meals. This and good teeth genetics are fundamental for a perfect hygiene and dental health. Moreover, white teeth are beautiful, but this isn’t the most important part when we talk about mouth and hygiene. As a matter of fact, this is about oral hygiene and not just the white and beautiful teeth. For instance, a poor oral hygiene not only affect your teeth (tartar, cavities…) but your gums as well (pyorrhea or periodontal disease).
Lack of oral hygiene is what causes negative effects on your teeth and gums. To sum up, vaping and effects on gums and teeth isn’t something you need to worry about.
Vaping and mouth sores?
Vaping and mouth sores is another common question. However, we are talking about the same issue. If you don’t suffer from a lack of saliva production (xerostomia), you won’t experience any kind of teeth and mouth sore problems.
Vaping and mouth sores are, however, a common concern for many vapers. This concern stems from tobacco smoking and a worsening of cold sores. For instance, tobacco smoking isn’t recommended if you suffer from cold sores.
In addition, a lack of C vitamin may worsen your cold sores, but vaping doesn’t have anything to do with it. In other words, it’s doesn’t lead to a cold sore.
To sum up, vaping and mouth sores isn’t something you need to worry about as long as you have a good oral hygiene.
In conclusion, the effects of vaping on gums and teeth are minimal.
Effects of vaping on gums and teeth: teeth staining
Firstly, this is something I have also heard in some articles. Vaping and teeth staining and vaping causing stains on your teeth. However, vaping won’t stain your teeth unless you use some sort of coloring. Nonetheless, it’s very unlikely that you’ll get stains.
For instance, some vape juices contain dyes and the pores of your teeth may absorb them. However, it’s more a question of keeping a good oral hygiene (flossing your teeth and brushing your teeth three times a day) than vaping and teeth staining.
In addition, you probably drink coffee every day. To sum up, you should probably worry more about coffee and teeth staining than vaping and teeth staining.
Effects of vaping on gums and teeth: Conclusion
First of all, it’s understandable the concerns that vapers have about vaping and tooth decay, the effects of vaping on gums and teeth or if you can vape after you get your wisdom teeth out.
Furthermore, there is a lot of misinformation that leads to misunderstandings. Additionally, some news mention cases about tooth decay after vaping, but they only mention one particular case of a man who vapes and drinks liters of soft drinks. Of course, this specific case isn’t cause by vaping but by poor health and oral hygiene habits.
Finally, vaping and teeth staining aren’t correlated. In other words, vaping won’t stain your teeth.
