
Vaping continues to rise in popularity, especially among young people. According to a2023 study, “relaxation had the highest probability of being the most important reason for use (14.8%), followed by harm reduction (13.2%), and flavors (10.3%)” were the main reasons young people vape.
With the rise in young never-smokers picking up vapes, it’s essential to understand the harm that vaping can do as well. Oral health is one of the most common areas of the body that vaping can affect.
Here, we ask what your dentist may notice in your mouth that indicates you vape and how to take care of your mouth if you vape.
What Happens in Your Mouth When You Vape
The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the body. Poor oral health is associated with worseneuroimaging brain health,heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Vaping directly affects oral health. The following side effects are commonly associated with vaping:
Dry mouth (xerostomia)
Nicotine and propylene glycol are two of the main ingredients in e-liquid. Both of these ingredients reduce saliva production and cause dry mouth.
A2023 study found that the prevalence of xerostomia is high in healthy smoking populations. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath or halitosis, and because it also affects a user’s sense of smell, they may not realize it, but the dentist might.
Increased bacteria and plaque buildup
Vaping leads to plaque buildup in the mouth and constricts blood flow to the mouth, which can affect healing.
Plaque buildup can lead to periodontitis or gum disease. A2024 studyconcluded that “vaping may be linked to increased rates of periodontitis as well as an increased risk of developing a carious pathology.”
Bacteria buildup from the mouth can transfer into the bloodstream and cause cardiovascular and kidney disease.
Gum inflammation and irritation
According to a2024 study, “Vaping may play a role in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease by altering the host response, resulting in the release of inflammatory cytokines and periodontal microflora.”
The effects of periodontal disease are noticeable if gums become inflamed and irritated.
Nicotine effects (if present): restricted blood flow, delayed healing
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which can narrow your blood vessels and affect blood flow. The restriction of blood flow can delay the healing of the mouth and exacerbate the issues surrounding oral health and vaping.
Smoking vs Vaping
While these effects may seem scary, vaping is still better for oral health than smoking combustible cigarettes, which can lead to much worse discolored teeth, worse bad breath due to smoke particles, and oral cancer from toxins and carcinogens.
Signs Dentists Look For
Dentists are oral health experts. They spend at least 4 years in dental school after college learning about the ins and outs of our mouths, so they are highly skilled in finding out the root causes of issues we may have. When they look in your mouth, they’ll notice the following telltale signs that you vape:
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Gum recession or inflammation
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Dryness and mouth ulcers
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Discoloration or soft tissue irritation
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Unusual plaque patterns or bad breath
While these issues are an indicator that you vape or smoke, people who don’t vape may also have them if they have poor oral hygiene and gum disease.
What Dentists Can and Cannot Know
Unless you tell your dentist straight up, they can't know definitively if you vape or not due to several other reasons that people may suffer from oral health issues related to vaping.
However, dentists have a lot of experience looking at nonsmokers', smokers', and vapers' mouths, so they'll likely have an educated guess as to whether or not you vape. Just like at the doctor, it's best to disclose whether or not you vape so you can receive proper treatment.
Why It Matters: Health and Trust
If you choose not to disclose that you vape to your dentist, you risk misdiagnosis. Issues like gum disease and soft tissue irritation also indicate autoimmune diseases, so you want to avoid being misdiagnosed and offered the wrong treatment.
The level of preventative care you receive may also be affected. Dentists who have the complete picture are better able to choose the right treatment options, prevent complications associated with vaping and healing after oral surgery, and monitor for severe conditions more easily.
What to Do if You Vape
Most dentists would advise quitting vaping to protect oral health, but for people who want to continue vaping, there are ways of mitigating the dangers associated with it.
Maintaining a good oral hygiene routine that includes daily flossing, cleaning twice a day, and using mouthwash to remove additional plaque is essential. People who vape should also stay hydrated and regularly visit the dentist.
Conclusion
Fortunately for the rest of us, dentists are highly trained medical professionals who know much about oral health. A good dentist can tell if you vape, but they won’t know definitively unless you tell them because there are other reasons why you may be suffering from symptoms like dry mouth, halitosis, gum disease, and inflammation.
It’s always best to be upfront with your dentist if you want to receive the best care and don’t receive a misdiagnosis. Remember, your dentist is there to help you, not to judge you for vaping.
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