VAPING is popular in the UK, with over 3million Brits enjoying the liquids.
The NHS states they are an alternative to smoking, and that they could even help you permanently quit.
GettyDentists can tell when you vape, and one expert tells us how much damage the liquids could actually be doing to your health[/caption]
However, studies have suggested that they could be as bad for your heart as regular cigarettes.
Nicotine – the substance that makes cigarettes and e-cigs addictive – is linked to greater risk of heart conditions, research has found.
Most people know the risks that smoking poses to oral health, such as an increased likelihood of gum disease.
However, one dentist states that vaping could be just as bad, causing other issues and that while you might try to hide your habit, they can always tell.
Speaking to The Sun, Dr Michael Heffernan, a dentist at The Wessex Dental Specialist Care, which is part of Bupa Dental Care said your dentist can spot the impact of vaping on your oral health.
He explained that the heated ingredients in the aerosol from e-cigarettes make you more susceptible to oral health problems such as dry mouth and gum disease.
“When your mouth is dry, the harmful bacteria can grow and overcome your protective bacteria, and increased bacteria levels can lead to the development of tooth decay and gum disease.
“This often appears in the form of increased sticky plaque, which causes inflamed, swollen and bleeding gums, sensitive teeth and bad breath.
“We also know that nicotine (present in e-cigarettes) can restrict blood flow to the gums, and poor circulation can result in more significant gum disease around teeth and potential loss of dental implants.
“However, these effects are less harmful than smoking or chewing tobacco products.”
Dr Heffernan recommends telling your dental practitioner or hygienist if you vape.
“We are not here to judge and If we know you are vaping, we can check your mouth and inform you of harmful changes and advise on ways to take care of your health,” he added.
Does vaping stain your teeth?
Dr Heffernan said that most people can recognise the appearance of a smoker’s teeth, which can be yellow and brown from the tar in tobacco smoke.
However, e-cigarettes don’t contain tar and at this stage, he said there isn’t the same degree of discolouration in the teeth of people who vape.
But vaping can still cause some discolouration, he said.
“This is because e-cigarettes come in many different flavours, containing many chemicals that can negatively affect the appearance of your teeth. And the sticky residue left on the teeth from the vaping aerosol can trap the stains in the enamel.”
Can it cause tooth decay?
Many vapes have sweet tastes, and sweeteners in general are a part of most people’s diets.
In the UK, the flavoured vapes do not contain sugar, so ‘sweeter tasting’ vapes won’t cause more tooth decay, but they may fuel your craving for sweeter stimulation that may mean we opt for food and drink containing more sugar – and this can lead to more tooth decay, diabetes and obesity, he said.
Some fruit-flavoured vapes contain acidic ingredients to give them a sharp fruity taste.
“This acidity can erode the surface of the tooth enamel, meaning dentists may need to fix the damage if it progresses too far,” Dr Heffernan said.
Will I have bad breath?
We’ve all been around that one colleague who comes back from the smoking area stinking.
And if you vape, you’ll also have bad breath, Dr Heffernan said.
“A key cause of bad breath in someone who vapes is the reduction of saliva which dries out the mouth.
“Regularly drinking water and keeping the mouth hydrated will keep unpleasant smells at bay as this disrupts and washes away plaque bacteria.
“Water also helps dilute bad-smelling compounds in the mouth, reducing the odour we exhale. You can also use dental xylitol mints or sugar-free gum to help during the day,” he said.
Risk of gum disease
While there has been less research into the impacts of vaping on oral health, dentists are noticing some patterns, Dr Heffernan said.
“When you give up smoking and move to vape to help stop smoking, we see patients’ gum health improve, which is really positive.
“However, when we look at non-smokers who try vaping, we see signs of greater gum disease on teeth and dental implants.
“So, it seems that vaping is not as harmful as smoking but causes damage to gum health, which can be permanent,” he said.