Do you vape? Does someone in your family vape? Your Woodland dentists know that vaping or the inhaling of vapor from electronic or e-cigarettes is still a big trend in the U.S. and it comes with more dangerous health risks than you might think — including your oral health.
According to this article from Heart.org, studies are starting to show there’s a correlation between vaping and what’s going on inside your mouth. It says a 2020 study published in the journal iScience showed that 43% of people who regularly used electronic cigarettes generally had some type of gum disease or oral infection. The study also found that people who smoke or use nicotine not in e-cigarette form were 73% more likely to have oral health issues.
What’s the Big Deal?
The big deal about vaping and smoking in general is nicotine. Whether you’re smoking a regular cigarette or vaping, it has the ability to restrict blood flow to your gums and that’s where periodontal or gum disease becomes a factor. Gum disease can negatively impact your teeth causing them to become loose or even fall out. There’s an additional health risk with vaping because the fluid use in the cartridges can contain more than just nicotine. Other harmful chemicals such as propylene glycol, benzene, and formaldehyde can also be present.
Making the Connection
As your dentists in The Woodlands, you know that we always stress the importance of the connection between your oral and overall health. A recent study just found that people who have gum disease also had a higher rate of stroke due to hardening of the large arteries in the brain. Gum disease has also been linked to high blood pressure. This is why it’s important to take care of your teeth and do your best to quit vaping and smoking.
Do you or your family need to see a dentist in The Woodlands? Do you want to speak with someone about your oral health concerns? We invite you to call any of our conveniently located dental offices in The Woodlands where you’ll find a fantastic team of dentists waiting to help you achieve your oral health goals.
Call us anytime or go online to schedule your consultation.
Dr. Robert Dernick (General, Cosmetic, Implant Dentistry, and TMJ)
Dr. Mike Freeman (General, Cosmetic, Implant, Sleep Apnea, and TMJ)
Dr. Alisa Reed (General, Cosmetic, Implant, Laser, Sleep Apnea, and TMJ)
Dr. Wade Williams (Orthodontics)
Dr. Nikita Vakil (General, Cosmetic, Implant Dentistry)
Dr. Leslie Blackburn (Pediatric Dentistry)