Vaping and oral health advice from Dr. Jeffry Burke in Daleville

Vaping poses risk to your oral health

There is an alarming trend taking place among America’s youth. While the use of tobacco products has been declining over the years, the use of e-cigarettes is threatening to erase a generation of progress. 

According to the 2018 National Youth Tobacco Survey, about 21 percent of high school students reported using e-cigarettes within the last month.  Just eight years ago, vaping among high schoolers stood at only 1.5 percent.

To combat this disturbing trend, Virginia’s legislators have raised the minimum age for purchasing tobacco products and e-cigarettes to 21. At the federal level, the FDA has moved to restrict the sale of flavored e-cigarettes that have been attractive to teenagers.

It is also worth noting that the escalating use of e-cigarettes is not simply a trend among teens. Close to 11 million American adults currently use e-cigarettes.

As a dentist, I frequently see patients whose oral health has been impacted by tobacco. While the long-term health effects of e-cigarettes are still largely unknown, preliminary research is uncovering some disturbing findings. For example, Harvard researchers released a study that found popular vaping cartridges and e-liquid products contain bacteria or fungi previously linked to lung problems.

We also know that vaping sweet-flavored e-cigarettes increases a person’s risk of tooth decay and cavities. Also, because these devices contain nicotine, consistent use can increase the risk of damage to gums and lead to addiction that can be difficult to overcome.

What’s more, there is early evidence suggesting vaping can be a gateway to cigarette smoking. We already have extensive research on the long-term impacts of smoking tobacco. Beyond the cardiovascular risks, smokers are much more likely to suffer from many oral health issues including receding gums, oral cancer, periodontal disease and tooth staining.

If you are a regular e-cigarette or tobacco user, regular visits to your dentist are extremely important.  Make an appointment to visit your dentist before your regularly scheduled checkup if you experience any noticeable changes in your oral health such as bleeding or swollen gums, changes in sensitivity to temperature, loose teeth, mouth ulcers or sores that don’t seem to heal, a toothache or mouth/jaw pain.

An estimated 8,000 people die each year from oral cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health. Schedule your dentist appointments twice per year for regular checkups that will include an oral cancer screening.  Early detection is key to increasing the survival rate. I am proud to be a part of the Virginia Dental Association, an organization that has worked to raise awareness about oral cancer and improve the lives of patients throughout the Commonwealth.

Many currently view vaping as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco use, but the research around the safety of these devices is still in its infancy. We cannot yet fully understand the impact long term use of e-cigarettes will have on an individual’s overall and oral health.

If you have questions about the impact of vaping and tobacco use on your oral health, I encourage you to have a conversation with your dentist.

Submitted by Dr. Jeffry Burke and photo of Dr. Burke by Cathy Benson