What Impact Does Vaping E-Cigarettes Have on Your Oral Health?
You already know smoking stains your teeth and causes cancer, but do you know how vaping impacts your oral health?
Whether you’ve been vaping for years or you just got your first electronic cigarette, it’s a good idea for you to know how this habit affects your teeth and gums.
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are becoming more and more popular as an alternative to smoking tobacco cigarettes.
As a society, we are becoming more aware of the dangers of smoking tobacco. We now know that smoking tobacco can cause cancer in your lungs, throat, liver, stomach and much more.
According to the National Cancer Institute, nearly half a million people die per year as a direct result of smoking tobacco. And, that’s just in the United States alone.
Because of this unsettling statistic, people are turning to vape instead of smoking cigarettes. Many believe vaping is healthier than smoking cigarettes because there isn’t tobacco involved.
But is it really that much healthier? Are there still health risks?
In this article, you will learn…
- What are e-cigarettes?
- Critical differences between vaping and smoking traditional cigarettes.
- How vaping impacts your health and more specifically, your dental health.
And, much more.
First, let’s explore what e-cigarettes are and how to use them.
What Are E-Cigarettes?
An electronic cigarette, also known as an e-cigarette or e-cig, is a battery-operated handheld device used as an alternative to smoking tobacco.
Like conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes contain nicotine, but unlike traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco and the tar.
Each cartridge holds liquid commonly referred to as “e-juice.” This mixture is typically made up of nicotine, glycerine, propylene glycol, and flavoring.
Instead of producing tar or smoke, e-cigarettes produce an aerosol. As a result, vapor from e-cigarettes does not smell like traditional cigarette smoke.
To use an e-cigarette, you press a button to heat the mixture and inhale. Some devices don’t require you to press a button at all.
People are turning to e-cigarettes because they are convenient and tobacco-free. But is vaping better for you than smoking?
Keep reading to get all the details.
Is Vaping Better For You Than Smoking Traditional Cigarettes?
Some believe vaping is less harmful to your health compared to smoking conventional cigarettes because e-cigarettes vaporize nicotine instead of burning tobacco.
After all, tobacco is the primary ingredient responsible for premature deaths due to smoking. Tobacco is one of the leading causes of cancer.
Because e-cigarettes lack tobacco, they do not contain the same level of toxic chemicals that cigarettes do.
But Still, Is Vaping Really Better For You?
Let’s dig into some of the most recent research.
According to a review by the National Society of Sciences, vaping is less harmful to your oral health than smoking cigarettes.
Vaping causes less damage to your oral cavity, reducing your risk of oral cancer and other diseases.
Moreover, a recent study by the New England Journal of Medicine found vaping has helped some people quit smoking tobacco altogether. Vaping has proved to be more effective than nicotine-replacement therapy.
While vaping may be better for you than smoking, that doesn’t mean vaping doesn’t come with its own set of adverse side-effects.
Are you wondering how vaping impacts your overall health?
Keep reading to find out the truth!
Is Vaping Bad for Your Overall Health?
Vaping poses significant and dangerous health risks not widely known to the public.
- Because e-cigs still contain nicotine, you still put yourself at risk of developing cancer.
- Nicotine is a well-known carcinogen proven to promote tumor growth in the lungs, stomach, pancreas, and breasts.
- Vaping causes unnecessary cell damage to healthy cells.
- Weakens your immune system.
- According to a recent published Surgeon General Advisory, the nicotine found in e-cigarette aerosols can impact learning, memory, and cause attention issues.
- Nicotine exposure during adolescence can also harm the developing brain, which is not fully developed until age 25.
- Harmful substances found in e-cigs, including heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and ultrafine particles, which are inhaled deeply into the lungs and can lead to breathing problems.
- As well as a host of oral health issues, which we will cover in a second.
On the surface, vaping does not pose as many health risks as smoking tobacco; however, as you now can see, vaping e-cigs has its fair share of inherent health risks.
While many consider it to be safe when compared to smoking traditional cigarettes, researchers now are finding that it’s not necessarily good for you. And, a lot more research is needed to confirm whether vaping is actually “safe.”
Now that you know how vaping impacts your overall health let’s look at the oral health dangers of using e-cigarettes.

The Oral Health Dangers of Vaping
Vaping can cause dental health issues, including but not limited to:
- Dry Mouth or Vape Mouth: propylene glycol, one of the main ingredients in e-juice, pulls water from your saliva, causing your mouth, nose, and throat to feel dry and uncomfortable.
- Bad Breath: nicotine, the key ingredient in e-juice, also inhibits your body’s natural ability to produce saliva, which makes it easier for bacteria to accumulate. This can result in bad breath and at times, tooth decay.
- Tooth Decay: without the proper amount of saliva, your oral cavity is more likely to develop bacteria. When your mouth has excess bacteria, you increase your likelihood of developing cavities and tooth decay.
- Gum Recession and Inflammation: nicotine not only limits saliva production, but it also restricts blood flow. This can result in gum recession, inflammation, and periodontitis.
- Canker Sores: vaping damages the cell lining of your mouth, which makes you susceptible to mouth sores and a sore throat.
As you can see, vaping is also bad news for your teeth and gums.
Vaping is indeed the lesser of two evils. When it comes to smoking vs. vaping, vaping is a clear choice.
But, is vaping good for your teeth, gums and oral cavity?
While vaping may do less harm to your oral health than smoking tobacco does, it certainly has its drawbacks, and therefore, it should give you pause.
But, Does Vaping Stain Your Teeth?
Fortunately, vaping is less likely to stain your teeth because you are ingesting steam instead of tar. As a result, vaping your e-cigarette probably won’t cause yellow teeth the way smoking a conventional cigarette would.
That said, vaping can still ruin your teeth. Not only can this habit cause discomfort in your mouth, but it can lead to serious oral health complications like mouth sores, tooth decay, and gum disease.
So how can you keep your teeth and gums healthy?
The best way to ensure optimal oral health is to see your trusted Corpus Christi family dentist regularly.
Are YOU due for a dental visit?
Prevent Tooth Decay & Gum Disease From Happening To You
Schedule Your Visit With The Most Trusted Corpus Christi Dentist Now
If you smoke or vape regularly, your oral health care should be a top priority.
Smoking and vaping put you at risk of tooth decay, gum disease, oral cancer, and more, which is why it’s so important to keep up with regular dental visits.
Want to find a dentist who won’t make you feel bad about your teeth?
At Dr. Chang’s Family Dentistry, we will never chastise you for your lifestyle. You will always be greeted with a smile, and you can trust that we will take good care of your teeth.
Don’t wait. Make sure your teeth and gums are healthy today.
Schedule your dental appointment now or call us now at 361-992-7631 to schedule your appointment with the best Corpus Christi dentist right now.
Dr. Chang’s Family Dentistry is conveniently located near the major intersection of Everhart Road and S. Staples Street in Corpus Christi, Texas.