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Smoking tobacco is considered extremely harmful to your health, and for your oral health, it can cause severe tooth decay, periodontal disease, jawbone loss, and oral cancer. Quitting smoking is one of the only effective things you can do to prevent these diseases, but for many, quitting smoking is a lifelong challenge of facing addictions. Some people to help combat this addiction have begun moving towards vaping as an alternative solution for their addiction. While vaping may seem like a viable option for those recovering from smoking, vaping still requires an extensive amount of research to show its long-term side effects. For now, we will be looking into what studies currently say about vaping products and their potential side effects.
How Vaping May Cause Harm To Your Oral Health:
Many research journals, including reports from the CDC, have performed extensive research on the potential harm that vaping products can contribute to people’s health. According to these reports, there are certain factors that can make it just as bad as tobacco products, including:
- Vaping E-liquids and Nicotine: While some vaping products can be made without nicotine, many e-liquids and e-cigarettes contain nicotine that’s extracted from tobacco products.
- Black Market Substances: Certain vaping products, especially if they come from black market sources, can contain additives such as vitamin E acetate, which can cause death if ingested.
- Increases Your Risk for Heart Disease: With nicotine added, nicotine has the ability to raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.
- Harmful Aerosols: When exhaled, the aerosols found in vaping products can contain chemicals such as diacetyl and other cancer-causing agents.
While many of these factors can affect people’s general health, our teeth and gums also can get hurt by the effects of vaping. Although the side effects are still being researched, studies from the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry cite that many vaping liquids contain sucrose, sucralose, and other flavorings that can increase the risk for cavities. Because of the complex sugars and sweet flavorings often found in these vape products, it has a high amount of cariogenic effects due to its similarity to high-sugar candies, gelatinous candies, and acidic drinks. Using vape products can increase the risk of cavities and gum disease in adults, and the addition of nicotine alongside its sweetness can make it an even harmful combination for your health.
How To Quit Smoking For Good Without Vaping:
The first place to begin is to be ready to quit smoking, and this means reaching out to those within your family and find resources to help you. Contacting your primary care doctor can help you address your smoking addiction and help you find resources for quitting smoking, including nicotine patches, recovery centers, and therapy sessions. Speaking with your primary care doctor is the best way to quit, and if you’re considering vaping, speak with both your doctor and dentist to find the tools you need to live a healthier lifestyle
