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Most people have been told their entire lives that smoking is bad for you. Most people are aware of the harmful side effects of smoking and the life-threatening diseases that are caused by this habit. It makes sense that when e-cigarettes were introduced, many people started using them instead.
Using e-cigarettes, or vaping, has become a popular method for dealing with nicotine withdrawal. However, many people use e-cigarettes as an alternative to cigarettes, with no intention of quitting using them. You might be surprised at the negative impact that vaping has on your oral health.
Vaping Isn’t Better for Your Oral Hygiene
Vaping was originally designed as a means to quit smoking because it contains less harmful ingredients than cigarettes and mimics the feeling of smoking. When you vape, you are inhaling and exhaling an aerosol mixture which is combined with a nicotine compound.
E-cigarettes are available with different levels of nicotine to help people who are trying to quit smoking decrease their nicotine levels gradually. However, instead of weaning themselves off of nicotine, many people are simply replacing traditional cigarettes for e-cigarettes. But it turns out that vaping isn’t much better for your health than smoking traditional cigarettes.
Vaping Is Harmful to Teeth and Gums
No matter what forms nicotine takes, it’s harmful to the teeth and gums. If your e-cigarette contains any level of nicotine, you’re negatively impacting your oral hygiene (in addition to your overall health). And even if there isn’t any nicotine present in the vapor, the ingredients in the vapor haven’t been studied in a comprehensive way yet to determine if they are safe.
Vaping damages cells in the mouth and creates inflammation. Chronic inflammation can lead to gum disease, which destroys the tissue and bone that are responsible for keeping the teeth in place. Over time, this can result in tooth loss. Nicotine, even present in small amounts in the vapor of e-cigarettes, is responsible for many serious health issues such as lung cancer, cardiovascular disease, gum disease, emphysema, and stroke.
Protect Your Smile With Good Habits
It’s best to avoid vaping, even if there’s no nicotine in the vapor. There may be other toxins present in the vapor that haven’t been fully studied yet. It could turn out that these toxins are just as harmful, if not more harmful, than cigarettes.
If you’re looking to quit smoking, speak with your doctor about other, healthier ways to quit. There are many products and methods available that are safer than vaping. A healthcare professional will be able to provide you with accurate information about your options.
At Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, we’re ready to help you get a spectacular smile! Call (843) 4-BRACES to speak with our friendly experts today!
