Vaping has become increasingly popular amongst teens and adults. It entails consuming nicotine and other substances through an e-cigarette, also known as vape. Vaping is now considered an alternative to traditional smoking. Such a trend began as a result of advertisements saying it would help smokers quit their habit, but as its popularity continues to grow, vaping has become a habit for many, just as smoking has.
Vaporizers are different from traditional cigarettes in many ways. The industry was initially built on the premise that vaping was an effective and safe alternative since vape oil does not contain tobacco, the main ingredient in cigarettes. However, it contains ingredients with high and dangerous amounts of nicotine that pose many risks to a user’s health.
Many young people in Canada now own a vape. The number of people who use vaporizers has tripled in the last few years and continues to grow. More Canadians are now opting for vapes instead of cigarettes without being fully aware of the damage the device may cause. Many patients are especially unaware of the oral health risks vapes may cause.
Effects of Vaping on Your Oral Health
1) Receding gums and gum disease
Visiting our dentist in NE Calgary to ensure your gums are healthy is essential to promote oral health. Smoking cigarettes and vapes can highly damage the cells in your mouth, and a dentist may have trouble treating these issues. Your gum and tongue will be negatively affected because nicotine causes blood vessels to shrink, and less blood is delivered to mouth tissues. This may cause receding gums and infections, and other oral health complications.
Nicotine may also lead to gum disease. Your dentist can easily spot gum disease based on the visible irritation of the gums and the additional blood flow sent from the body to help treat the infection. The longer it is left untreated, the higher the risk of other health issues.
2) Worsens bad breath
A common side effect of patients who vape daily is bad breath. Nicotine affects your body’s ability to create saliva and prevent oral bacteria. This can result in excessive bacteria that cause bad breath. The build-up of bacteria may also cause infections that, if left untreated, could cause long-term issues such as oral cancer and heart disease.
3) Increases teeth grinding
Nicotine may stimulate your muscles and incentivize teeth grinding. Many nicotine patients experience agitated muscles and may notice increased teeth grinding. This can result in teeth damage due to a loss of enamel and teeth sensitivity.
Other Health Risks
There are many ongoing debates about other health issues caused by vapes. Nicotine is a well-known harmful ingredient, but other chemicals are used in vape liquid that can be additionally detrimental to a patient’s health. Vaping regularly doubles your risk of heart attack and can highly damage your lungs. Over its long-term use, vape liquid ingredients negatively impact oral and overall health.
Preventing Oral Health Damage from Vaping
To help prevent damages caused by a vape, it is important to maintain outstanding oral hygiene and ensure you visit a dentist near you for cleanings and checkups. Brush your teeth twice daily and use dental floss to help remove additional bacteria. Finish the routine with a mouthwash to ensure no harmful bacteria are left behind. Getting a checkup and dental cleaning in NE Calgary twice yearly is essential to promote good oral health. Patients who vape or smoke cigarettes may require more frequent visits, which their dentist can determine.
Are you tired of searching Google for “dental cleaning near me” and not finding a quality dental clinic to visit? Don’t worry; we are here to help! Totally Dental offers various services to promote your oral health and ensure your smile is in good shape even while working on quitting your vaping habit. Contact us today to book your appointment, and our friendly staff will be happy to guide you and help you take care of your oral health.