.png)
The devastating impact of e-cigarettes on teeth and oral health
Oral health experts have revealed increasing harms associated with the use of e-cigarettes, which are a recent phenomenon in the world of smoking.
Studies have shown that
the damage caused by these devices is not limited to the lungs and respiratory system, but extends to the mouth and teeth, causing problems such as dry mouth, tooth decay, gum infections, and enamel erosion.
Research also
- warns that the different flavors added to e-cigarette liquids
- may increase the risk of these harms, especially
- among young people who consume them regularly.
E-cigarettes
- are more addictive than tobacco for many young people
- and are alarmingly harmful to oral health," says Dr Smita Mira
- a dentist at Neem Tree Clinics in London and Surrey.
Its clinics
are monitoring an increase in cases of early gingivitis and plaque accumulation among young people, problems that were rare before the spread of e-smoking.
How do e-cigarettes affect oral and dental health?
- E-cigarette liquids contain substances such as propylene glycol
- and vegetable glycerin, which cause dry mouth and plaque buildup.
- Nicotine also reduces saliva secretion, while hot steam increases dryness
which impairs the mouth's ability to clean itself naturally.
Dr. Mira explains:
Saliva is the natural line of defense for the mouth.
Without it
bacteria accumulate, the acidity of the mouth increases, and caries accelerates, especially near the gum line and between the teeth."
Doctors confirm that dry mouth resulting from e-smoking
can lead to gingivitis, bleeding, and long-term tooth loss.
James Golnick
a dentist and founder of Bow Lane Dental in London, points out that e-smoking particularly affects the front teeth, where they are directly exposed to smoke, leading to enamel erosion, stains and cavities.
Flavors and their
effect on eating habits and oral health
Studies warn that the sweet flavors in e-cigarette liquids may encourage eating more sugary foods that are harmful to teeth, in addition to changing the balance of microbes in the mouth, which increases the risk of gum disease.
A study published in
the journal mSystems suggests that long-term e-cigarette users
develop oral microbes associated with bleeding gums and bone loss.
Doctors' warnings and scientific studies
Dentists stress that e-cigarettes are not safe, especially for non-smokers and young people. "There is growing evidence that e-cigarette users are at risk for tooth decay, and this needs to be taken seriously," says Richard Holliday, professor of restorative dentistry at Newcastle University.
A 2024 study
by University College London
and the University of Innsbruck confirms that e-cigarette users exhibit DNA changes in cheek cells similar to those caused by traditional smoking.
Experts stress that e-smoking
- although less harmful than traditional smoking for smokers
- is not safe for non-smokers, especially young people.
- They warn that the damage may appear late, and then treatment
may be difficult
or impossible, because tooth enamel does not regenerate.
The dark face of e-cigarettes..
Its harms may exceed regular smoking!
A scientific study has issued an important warning about the dangers of e-cigarettes, indicating that they may pose a health threat comparable to
and even greater than, the harm of traditional cigarettes
especially with the difficulty of controlling their use.
The study
led by Dr Maxime Boyden
lecturer in cardiac rehabilitation at Manchester Metropolitan University
reveals that e-smoking causes damage to blood vessels similar to that
caused
by traditional smoking, and may contribute to an increased
risk of dementia, heart disease and vital organ failure in the long term.
Dr. Boyden
who will present the results of his two-year study
at a scientific conference in Italy next July
said:
"Our findings prove that the harm resulting from e-smoking is no less serious than traditional cigarettes, and may even be worse, because it is difficult to track the amount of consumption or determine when to stop".
The study
included young people between
- the ages of 18 and 45, who underwent tests to measure arterial elasticity
- and blood flow to the brain. It was found that e-cigarette users
- and traditional smokers showed similar levels of
arterial damage
which is a clear indicator of deteriorating cardiovascular health.
Boyden explained that
- the damage is caused
- by a combination of nicotine
- minerals and chemicals
such as propylene glycol
- vegetable glycerin and carbonyl compounds used in flavors
- which cause inflammation and oxidative stress that
- may lead to damage to arterial walls and cell death.
He added:
"If people continue to use e-cigarettes after quitting, the damage will remain".
We risk a health crisis over the next 10 to 15 years if we do not act now."
Tips to quit vaping easily
Studies have shown that e-cigarettes :
although considered less harmful than regular cigarettes, carry serious health risks, including insomnia, fertility problems, heart disease, and even lung destruction.
The British National Health
Service describes e-cigarettes as an effective tool to help smokers quit, but warns that they may lead to addiction because they contain nicotine.
"Most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, a powerful substance that leads to addiction," explains Dr. Pavini Shah, GP at LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
She adds:
- You do not have to be a former smoker to become addicted to e-cigarettes
- as many young people may resort to e-smoking without having
- a history with traditional cigarettes".
However
they find themselves in a cycle of addiction, where e-smoking becomes part of their daily routine, such as smoking after meals or during breaks or social gatherings.
In this regard, 4 main stages for quitting e-smoking are identified:
Meditation phase: thinking about making the decision to quit.
Preparation phase: Identify treatments or services that can help you quit.
Action phase:
Start quitting e-smoking, while experiencing withdrawal symptoms.
Maintenance phase: Maintaining a vaping-free lifestyle.
- Here are tips to quit vaping
- Set a date to
- quit smoking
Choose a date (day) within the next two weeks, and dispose of all e-cigarettes before the specified day. Keep your day busy to avoid thinking about smoking.
Gradual take-off
Gradually reduce the nicotine strength in your e-cigarettes until you reach a nicotine-free e-cigarette, which makes it easier to quit permanently.
Change routine
Make vaping more difficult by organizing only certain times to smoke.
Set clear goals
Write down the reasons why you should quit smoking
and keep them to remind yourself when needed.
Avoid triggers
Stay away from situations and places that encourage you to vape
such as bars or encounters with smokers.
Sports and physical activity
Exercise regularly. Exercises such as brisk walking or cycling
help relieve withdrawal symptoms and reduce nicotine cravings.
Dealing with stress
Try meditation, deep breathing, or yoga as effective ways to relieve stress
which is one of the main factors behind vaping.
Social support
Talk to your friends and family and tell them about your intention to take off. Having a partner who shares this journey with you can encourage you.
Rewards
Reward yourself when you achieve certain accomplishments
such as spending two weeks or a month without smoking.
Alternative treatments
Use products, such as patches, gum, or inhalers that help reduce nicotine dependence, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist for guidance.
Dr. Shah explained that
nicotine withdrawal symptoms may begin only 8 hours after stopping, and peak after 72 hours, leading to anxiety and difficulty concentrating.
"Although these symptoms are uncomfortable, they are not harmful," she adds.
You should focus on replacing smoking time with useful and new activities."