Startling Studies Show Risks of Smoking and Vaping on Oral Health

As your Oregon City dentists, we understand that there are many factors to your overall oral health. Most people know that smoking can cause lots of problems, including stained and discolored teeth and an increased risk of oral cancer. However, most people don’t know that vaping can also seriously affect oral health. 

 

Two recent studies have confirmed that both habits can harm your teeth, gums, and overall health.

Smoking and Your Oral Health

There isn’t much good news when it comes to smoking. It’s one of the leading causes of oral health problems such as gum disease, tooth loss, bad breath, and yellowing of teeth. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause your gums to pull away from your teeth, creating pockets where bacteria can accumulate and eventually lead to gum disease. Moreover, the nicotine in cigarettes can restrict the blood flow to your gums, causing them to become weak and unable to fight off infection. This can eventually lead to tooth loss. 

 

Smoking also affects the salivary glands, causing them to produce less saliva. Saliva is essential in removing food particles and neutralizing the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth. Decreased saliva production can lead to dry mouth, which can cause bad breath and an increased risk of cavities and gum disease.

 

All this adds up to some dangerous gum issues. And a recent study by Danish researchers in the Journal of Dental Research showed another concerning problem—heavy smokers with periodontal disease had so much inflammation they didn’t see any improvement from treatment. So not only does smoking cause gum disease, but it also hinders any treatment your Oregon City dentists can provide.

Vaping and e-Cigarettes

Vaping has been promoted as a safer alternative to smoking, but recent studies have shown that it can also harm oral health. A report by the CareQuest Institute highlights the serious oral health risks of vaping: according to the report, e-cigarettes can lead to a range of oral health issues like gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.

 

The high heat generated by e-cigarettes can cause injury to the oral tissues, leading to gum recession and an increased risk of gum disease. Additionally, the nicotine in e-cigarettes can cause the gums to become inflamed, making them more susceptible to infection. The report also found that the chemicals used in e-cigarette liquids can damage the enamel on teeth, increasing the risk of cavities.

Oregon City Family Dentist

Both smoking and vaping can have severe effects on your teeth and gums. Smoking can cause gum disease, tooth loss, bad breath, yellowing of teeth, and even oral cancer. Vaping can also harm oral health, causing gum recession, increased risk of gum disease, cavities, and oral cancer. It’s essential to be aware of these risks and to protect your oral health. This may include quitting smoking or vaping, visiting the dentist regularly, and maintaining good oral hygiene.

 

Questions or concerns?  Oregon City Dentistry has resources to help you quit or cut down on smoking or vaping.  Our friendly office staff will help you set up an appointment for a complete cleaning and consultation. Quitting is hard, but the results are worth it. When searching for a “dentist in my area” in Oregon City, consider Oregon City Dentistry for thoughtful, comfortable care.