With nearly 10 percent of US adults now smoking e-cigarettes or “vaping,” the good news is that Americans reliance on traditional paper cigarettes may be waning. Unfortunately, however, although it’s touted as a safer alternative, recent studies have shown that vaping can often be just as dangerous as smoking when it comes to your oral health. Here’s a closer look at some of the risks involved, and why when it comes to any type of cigarettes, the best kind is none at all!
The Dangers of Vaping
Although it may seem safer because it uses steam instead of smoke to deliver chemicals to your body, vaping has been found in numerous studies to be just as, if not more harmful than smoking traditional cigarettes.
Vaping uses an electronic or “e-cigarette” to warm liquid inside of a cartridge that generates an aerosol vapor which can be inhaled like smoke. Unfortunately, while this steam may seem safer, the fluid is packed with nicotine, artificial flavorings, and other addictive chemicals.
In addition to being habit forming, vaping fluid can also fill the body with carcinogens and even dry out and damage the periodontal tissue, increasing your risk of gum disease and tooth loss. Furthermore, although it is usually clear, if heated too long it can discolor and leave yellow stains on the teeth.
Finally, while rare, the lithium-ion batteries used to power e-cigarettes have also on occasion caught fire and even exploded both in and out of use, causing serious injury!
Is it Safer to Vape or Smoke?
While some can argue that vaping may be slightly safer than smoking, the truth is that with so little data on it, it remains to be seen whether it truly is a better alternative to traditional cigarettes. Although it is certainly beneficial in helping people quit smoking, it should never be used to permanently replace paper cigarette use, and if you are currently a non-smoker, it is recommended that you never begin smoking or vaping in the first place. If you’d like to quit, reach out to your dentist or primary care physician for assistance.
Remember, while vaping may seem like a better choice for your oral and overall health, recent studies indicate that in many cases not only can it be just as dangerous, but in some instances, it might even be worse!
About Our Practice
At Sweet Smiles Dentistry and Orthodontics, Dr. Lopez and Dr. Fitzgerald want to help free you from the chains of dangerous oral habits like smoking and vaping. While promoted as being safer, vaping can still cause severe damage to your oral and overall health, which is why it’s so important to quit. If you have any dental concerns or if you’d like assistance with quitting using cigarettes of any kind, visit our website to schedule your exam and cleaning, or give us a call at 303-854-6019 in Parker, or 303-688-9519 in Castle Rock.