Can E-Cigarettes Cause Oral Health Problems?

The electronic cigarette was introduced about 10 years in the event to help smokers quit smoking. These e-cigs still contain nicotine that cigarettes contain however do not contain all those nasty toxins that are so dangerous to our health. Two main ingredients found in these electronic cigarettes are propylene glycol and glycerin. Some people that use e-cigs say their teeth feel coated and our concerned that these ingredients may cause tooth decay because they act as natural sweeteners, however they do not cause tooth decay. In fact, propylene glycol is in toothpaste to prevent water loss in the paste itself as well has been proven to kill certain bacteria in the mouth.

There are other ingredients in these e-cigs though that may be hazardous to your overall health like diethylene glycol which is highly toxic and other nitrosamines that are strong carcinogens found in tobacco. These harmful ingredients found in e-cigs however are far less then in traditional cigarettes. Because the safety concerns are still unknown and research completed is limited, we recommend that if you want to quit smoking use a nicotine replacement or medication as well as some counseling.

Studies have proven that nicotine alone may cause harm to your mouth, gums, and tongue. Nicotine may also greatly contribute to the development of a dry mouth, gingivitis, and periodontal disease (gum disease). Nicotine may increase the incidence of tooth loss and dental decay too. The reason nicotine can cause dental issues is because it’s a vasoconstrictor which means it reduces the blood flow to the tissues in your mouth. When the blood flow is decreased the white blood cells can’t properly fight off bacterial infections and red blood cells bring less oxygen to replenish the gum cells themselves. So in reality e-cigs can still contribute to dental issues just like a real cigarette can.

This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Sherwood Dental Care.