E-Cigarettes, Vaping Linked to Increased Risk of Tooth Decay and Cavities
cigarettes using technology Trusted Source, often known as vapes, are battery-operated devices that turn liquid into an aerosol by heating it. An e-cigarette produces aerosol that is breathed into the lungs. With or without nicotine, vape liquids can contain chemicals derived from cannabis.
In 2018, 58.1 millionTrusted Source persons worldwide utilised vaping goods, according to estimates.
Aerosol from e-cigarettes can be dangerous because it contains nicotine, heavy metals, and flavourings like diacetyl, which has been related to lung disease and aberrant lung function. More study is required, according to the CDCTrusted Source, to determine how vaping products affect health.
Nevertheless, a tiny case study conducted in 2022 with only four individuals discovered a link between using e-cigarettes for 3 to 8 years with symptoms of chronic lung disease, such as constrictive bronchiolitis and small airway fibrosis. The patients who gave up vaping showed an improvement in their symptoms, according to the study’s authors.
Additionally, current research
E-cigarette use and blood vessel damage have been linked, according to Trusted Source.
Additionally, a 2021 study discovered that e-cigarette users’ oral microbiomes were different from those of non-smokers and vapers. Periodontitis, a serious gum illness that is also common among users of traditional cigarettes, is linked to the microorganisms present in vapers.
An relationship between vaping usage and an increased incidence of dental caries, or cavities, has now been discovered by a recent study from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Particularly, individuals who reported vaping were more likely to get cavities than those who said they never used e-cigarettes.
The American Dental Association Journal released the findings on November 23.
Vaping and the risk of cavities: a study
The research team gathered information from participants who visited the dental clinic at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine between January 1, 2019, and January 1, 2022 in order to evaluate the relationships between vaping use and the risks of developing dental cavities.
The participants answered yes or no to a question on a health questionnaire about using e-cigarettes if they were older than 16 years old, had gotten a cavity diagnosis, and had a Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA) record.
If a participant did not have cavities or said they used recreational drugs, they were disqualified from the study, unless the drug was vaporised.
The research team split the three age groups of the eligible participants:
ages 16 to 25
26 to 40 years of age; older than 40 years
The study collected information from 13,098 participants in total. 91 of them admitted to using electronic cigarettes, while 13,007 said they didn’t.
Using patient record software, the researchers determined if the participant’s cavity risk was low, moderate, or high.
Among all the individuals who said they had never used an e-cigarette:
14.5% were at low risk for cavities.
25.9% had a moderate risk.
59.7% of people had high risk.
Those who acknowledged using e-cigarettes included:
6.6% had a low risk of cavities.
14.3% of people had a moderate risk.
79.1% of people had high risk.
Among those who said they didn’t use e-cigarettes:
6.3% were in the 16–25 age bracket.
aged 26 to 40, making up 32.6%.
61.1% of people were older than 40.
Those who acknowledged using e-cigarettes:
19.1% were aged 16 to 25.
52.9% were aged 26 to 40.
Among those older than 40, 27.9%
According to an analysis of patient records, the lead study author, Dr. Karina Irusa, an assistant professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, found that people who reported using e-cigarettes or vapes had a significantly higher risk of developing dental decay than people who did not.
The study’s authors recommend that e-cigarette or vape use be identified as one of the factors that raises the risk of cavities in routine dental-medical history questionnaires.
The study has its shortcomings, though. For instance:
The study used patient records and was cross-sectional in nature.
Self-reported vaping may have distorted the results of the statistical analysis due to the small number of participants.
The scientists pointed out that excessive sugar consumption and poor dental hygiene are both linked to drug usage in general. So, these might be factors.
Socioeconomic factors, which were not taken into consideration in the study, have an impact on the risk of dental caries.
Why might vaping make you more likely to have cavities?
Irusa stated, “The current notion is that vaping may result in dry mouth, robbing the oral cavity of its ability to self-cleanse through saliva.” We also think that vaping alters the oral flora in a way that encourages the growth of bacteria that cause decay.
Irusa pointed out that this study’s findings are preliminary and that there is little knowledge on how vaping might lead to tooth decay.
In order to further explore the precise mechanism by which e-cigarette and vape use affects the onset and spread of deterioration, she added, “We are currently in the process of sourcing funding.”
According to Walden Dental’s owner and founder, David Frank, DMD, the majority of vape goods and electronic cigarettes include nicotine and other dangerous chemical byproducts.
Your gums and teeth are directly exposed to these harmful compounds while using a vape pen to inhale. Vaping can result in dry mouth (xerostomia), which Frank explained is when your mouth and gums get too dry.
“Tooth decay and gum disease are most likely to occur when your mouth is dry. The germs that cause cavities and tooth decay prefer a dry environment because it’s simpler for them to attach to your teeth in a dry environment.
In his business, Frank mentioned that he’s seen dental and oral health problems in persons who admit to vaping.
He stated, “We typically see an increase in periodontal disease, which is characterised by substantial gum and bone inflammation and related attachment loss.
Some of these people need to have their teeth cleaned more frequently in order to assist lower the degree of inflammation in their mouths.
Do vaping THC or cannabis have the same risks of cavities?
Irusa told Healthline that she thinks vapes containing THC-related cannabis components may also raise the risk of tooth rot.
Irusa stated, “An original case seriesTrusted Source that I had published in 2020 with 2 other investigators served as the inspiration for this investigation.
“In this case series, we saw three patients who all had significant deterioration of highly unusual patterns and who frequently used vapes or e-cigarettes with THC-containing liquids. Although we are unable to draw any firm conclusions from these 3 patients, there may be a relationship.
What dangers do tooth decay present?
Frank highlighted that the likelihood that a tooth will require ongoing dental care throughout your life increases after tooth decay causes a cavity.
Any dental work done to a natural tooth that results in recurrent cavities around the edges or beneath fillings, crowns, and onlays will eventually need to be replaced, according to Frank.
Chronic use of vaping can raise the risk of dental decay, loss of tooth structure, and damage to the surrounding gums and bone because it causes dry mouth and introduces acidic chemicals.
What steps may vapers take to lessen the risks?
To assist “defend and preserve the enamel from the extra acidity insult from vape chemical byproducts like propylene glycol,” Frank in his practise suggests fluoride varnish treatments to smokers after cleanings.
Irusa advises smokers to schedule routine dental appointments to make sure they’re “on a suitable preventive regimen.”
Irusa said, “I would advocate rigorous oral hygiene, which would mean flossing and using fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice daily.
But in the end, Frank advises against using any inhaled or mouth-delivered nicotine products, including vaping.
Despite the health risks, vaping tobacco and cannabis products is becoming more and more popular.
Although the full effects of e-cigarette use are not yet fully understood, new study alerts to the possibility of bodily harm.
According to a recent study, using e-cigarettes increases the risk of tooth decay and cavities, which may lead dental hygienists to inquire about vaping with patients.
The National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services both provide information to aid in quitting if you vape, smoke cigarettes, or use other products that contain nicotine. For additional advice, you might also want to speak with your healthcare provider.
Ref: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/e-cigarettes-vaping-linked-to-increased-risk-of-tooth-decay-cavities
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