Is Vaping Bad for Your Teeth?

How Vaping Affects Oral Health

There are numerous effects of vaping on teeth, and they are similar to the negative effects of smoking. So if you’ve wondered, “Is vaping bad for your teeth?”, the answer is a clear “yes”.

Here are some of the negative effects of vaping on teeth.

Dry Mouth and Bad Breath

Vaping reduces saliva production, leading to an increased risk of dry mouth and bacteria buildup. Ingredients in vape e-liquids, such as propylene glycol, can cause or worsen dry mouth.

Reduced saliva flow and dry mouth can cause:

Increased risk of cavities
Oral discomfort
Bad breath
Difficulty eating and swallowing
Increased risk of periodontal disease

Increased Risk of Cavities

Sugary vape liquids and their additives can contribute to tooth decay. The sweet flavors in e-liquids can attract acid-producing bacteria that erode tooth enamel, leaving you more susceptible to cavities.

Dry mouth, another common side effect of vaping, can further worsen tooth decay by reducing the protective benefits of saliva. Saliva provides numerous benefits to oral health, including neutralising acids and rinsing away food debris. By reducing saliva production, teeth are more susceptible to decay and cavities.

Gum Inflammation & Recession

Nicotine, whether smoked or vaped, decreases blood flow to the gums. These effects can cause gum irritation, recession, redness, swelling, and inflammation.

Restricted blood flow to the gums also increases the risk of gum disease. Further, nicotine weakens the immune system, raising your risk of gum disease.

Nicotine Stomatitis

Vaping can cause lesions in the mouth, such as nicotine stomatitis. This condition causes scars and staining on the roof of the mouth.

Enamel Damage

E-liquid ingredients feature harmful chemicals, carcinogens, and additives. When heated, vape juice can damage tooth enamel and irritate the soft tissues of the mouth. Damaged enamel is more susceptible to decay and staining.

Vaping vs. Smoking: Which Is Worse for Your Teeth?

Smoking is considered worse for overall health than vaping. Still, the negative effects of vaping on teeth are similar to the risks of smoking. Vaping and smoking both contain toxins that can cause lung damage, heart disease, and cancer.

But is vaping bad for your teeth compared to smoking? While vaping doesn’t have tar that can cause staining and plaque buildup, it still poses oral health risks.

jaw displaying cavity as effect from vaping

Vaping vs. Smoking Oral Health Risk

Smoking’s effect on your teeth:

Contains thousands of harmful chemicals and close to 70 known carcinogens
Causes teeth staining due to the tar and nicotine content
Proven to raise the risk of stroke, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and heart disease
Weakens the immune system
Higher risk of oral cancer than vaping
Contributes to increased tartar and plaque buildup
Contributes to dry mouth, which can raise the risk of gum disease and cavities
Releases harmful nicotine and tar into the lungs
Puts non-users at risk of health effects from secondhand smoke

Vaping’s effect on your teeth:

Contains fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes
Aerosols from e-cigarettes contain nicotine, flavourings, carcinogens, and harmful additives that can cause oral health complications
Vaping may cause less lung damage than smoking but further studies on the long-term health effects of vaping are needed
Vaping can cause gum irritation, inflammation, and bleeding that can progress to gum disease
Vaping contributes to dry mouth, increasing the risk of gum disease and decay
Even though it doesn’t contain tar, the nicotine in e-liquids may cause discolouration and teeth staining
Vaping can weaken the immune system

While smoking is significantly worse than vaping for overall and oral health, vaping still has consequences. Both contain nicotine, which restricts blood flow to the gums, contributes to periodontal disease and teeth staining, and raises your risk of oral cancer.

I do not recommend viewing vaping as a safe alternative to smoking. The bottom line is that both smoking and vaping are harmful to oral health.

Does Vaping Cause Gum Disease?

Yes, vaping can contribute to gum disease. The nicotine found in e-cigarettes weakens the immune system. This makes the gums more vulnerable to inflammation, irritation, and infection, such as gum disease. A weakened immune system also makes it more difficult for the body to heal gum tissue.

If you do vape, it is imperative to watch closely for the first signs of gum disease and see your dentist for regular checkups. Early detection is the best defense against complications from gum disease.

The early stage of gum disease, known as gingivitis, usually includes bleeding gums. However, nicotine can cause decreased blood flow and make this symptom harder to recognise.

Since symptoms aren’t always present in the first stages of gum disease, it is vital to attend regular dental checkups. Your dentist can catch gum disease early, decreasing the risk of developing advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis. Periodontitis can lead to painful, expensive complications, such as tooth loss.

Signs of Gum Disease

Notify your dentist right away if you notice any of these signs of gum disease:

Gums that bleed easily and frequently
Tender, swollen, or red gums
Gum discharge
Receding gums
Loose teeth
A persistent bad taste in the mouth
Chronic bad breath
Spaces opening between your teeth

Can Vaping Lead to Oral Cancer?

Further research is needed but vaping may be associated with an increased risk of oral cancer (Source: Tobacco Induced Diseases).

Early studies show that the carcinogenic compounds and aerosols in e-cigarettes can induce DNA damage. A USC study of 93 people found that users of e-cigarettes developed similar cancer-related molecular changes in oral tissue as cigarette smokers (Source: Tobacco-Related Disease Research Program).

A recent study found that e-cigarette use can induce changes in DNA that can lead to cancer (Source: Dental Economics).

Oral cancer may not always include symptoms in the early stages, making it difficult to identify. Symptoms of oral cancer may include:

Persistent mouth lesions, lip ulcers, or oral lumps
Difficulty or pain when swallowing
Swelling in the mouth
Loose teeth
White or red patches in the mouth
Dentures that suddenly feel loose or ill-fitting

If you notice signs of oral cancer, book an appointment to see your dentist immediately. Early detection of oral cancer is vital to ensure the best outcome and prevent it from spreading.

We know smoking increases the risk of oral cancer and early studies show that vaping may as well. If you smoke or vape, I urge you to be vigilant about regular dental checkups.

How to Protect Your Oral Health if You Vape: 4 Tips

If you vape, it is crucial to pay extra attention to your oral hygiene habits. Here are 4 tips for protecting your oral health if you vape.

Follow a Good Oral Hygiene Routine

With a heightened risk of oral health problems, such as gum disease and decay, e-cigarette users must pay extra attention to oral hygiene.

I recommend following an oral hygiene routine that includes:

Flossing daily
Brushing twice a day
Brushing with gentle, circular motions
Using a soft-bristled toothbrush
Using a fluoride toothpaste (I’m happy to help if you need recommendations)
Asking your dentist if you should be using an antibacterial mouthwash
Attend regular dental checkups
Notifying your dentist of any issues or changes in your oral health immediately

Attend Regular General Dental Checkups

Regular dental checkups are crucial for monitoring for early damage and removing tartar buildup. Catching oral health issues as early as possible is the best way to prevent further complications. Since many problems, such as gum disease and oral cancer, can be asymptomatic, general checkups are vital.

I recommend seeing your dentist every 6 months to catch issues early, get a professional cleaning, and evaluate your oral health. I’ve worked with dozens of patients who vape or have vaped in the past.

I never want my patients to avoid booking an appointment for fear of judgment. I’m here to support you in maintaining your best oral health possible, regardless of your lifestyle habits.

Chelmsford Dental offer general dentistry services across Perth. Looking for general dentistry services in Mount Lawley, Perth? Book today.

Eat a Healthy, Balanced Diet

The right nutrients can support healthy teeth and gums and stimulate saliva production. To help support your oral health, eat a balanced diet that features:

Colourful fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, kiwis, oranges, berries
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains
Non-processed foods
Fatty fish, such as tuna, sardines, and salmon
Leafy greens, such as kale and spinach
Greek yogurt, cheese, and other sources of dairy
Limited sugar, processed foods, and acidic drinks as they can contribute to dry mouth, decay, and enamel erosion

I always tell my patients that part of a healthy diet is staying adequately hydrated. Drinking enough fluids stimulates saliva production to help counteract dry mouth, which is a risk of vaping.

The correct nutrition is vital to maintaining oral health.

Sugar-free gum may be another option for stimulating saliva production and helping to counteract dry mouth. Ask your dentist if sugar-free gum is a good choice for you.

Learn more about how a healthy diet can support oral health in my post here: How Diet and Nutrition Impact Your Oral Health.

Take Advantage of Resources to Help Quit Vaping

Quitting or reducing vaping can benefit your oral and overall health. If you are struggling to quit vaping, there are many resources available to help you.

Ask your doctor for assistance to quit vaping or call Australia’s Quitline on 137848.

Australia’s Quitline provides excellent resources and support on how to quit vaping or smoking.

Protect Your Oral Health with Our Team of Experts at Chelmsford Dental

More research is needed on the connections between vaping and dental health, but vaping harms oral health in numerous ways. Staining, oral cancer, gum disease, and dry mouth are some of the risks of vaping.

Vaping can harm oral health in similar ways to smoking. If you vape, regular dental visits are more important than ever.

Concerned about your oral health? Contact us or Book a checkup with Perth’s professional dentist, Chelmsford Dental!

Dr. James Roberts has developed a particular interest in enhancing smiles through procedures like veneers, bridgework, crowns, and Invisalign, along with other forms of invisible orthodontics.