What Affect Could Vaping Have On My Oral Health?
Dr. Salvator La Mastra and the experts at Hamlett & La Mastra, DDS in Dallas, TX encourage you to schedule a dental checkup with us every six months. Dental checkups are necessary for monitoring the health of your teeth and checking if there are any dental problems that require immediate help.
One recommendation we have when reviewing your smile involves ensuring you avoid vaping. While you might think that vaping could be safer than smoking tobacco, it does more harm to your oral health than you might expect.
Vaping still contains nicotine
While the amount of nicotine you consume when vaping is less than what you’d get from regular tobacco products, nicotine can still harm your teeth and gums. Nicotine can restrict blood flow to the gums, making it harder for the gums to restore their tissues and prevent infections.
Vaping products contain ingredients harmful to the teeth
The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation reports that vape juices used in vaping products include propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, two compounds that can harm your teeth. Propylene glycol can break down into acids that will damage your enamel and soft tissue, and it prevents your mouth from producing the saliva necessary for keeping bacteria from sticking.
Vegetable glycerin often appears in vape products as a sweetener, but it can also stick to the enamel and weaken the surface. The enamel becomes softer and more susceptible to cavities.
Periodontitis can also occur
You could also experience periodontitis if you vape, as the American Heart Association states. Periodontitis occurs when the gums become infected, making it easier for the jawbone to weaken and deteriorate. Your healthy teeth could become loose from the jawbone and eventually fall out if the condition remains untreated or spreads.
Your blood pressure can become worse
The American Heart Association also writes that gum disease can be associated with blood pressure concerns. Hypertension can become worse, plus medications you might take to manage hypertension may stop working as well. The sudden increase in blood pressure can increase your risk of experiencing heart failure and other stresses.
Our dentists can review your teeth and fix possible problems
Dr. La Mastra and our team at Hamlett & La Mastra, DDS in Dallas can help review your smile and identify possible threats that might appear. We can check your teeth, gums, and jawbone to ensure everything is healthy and safe without risking possible harm. Dental care is especially important for anyone who vapes or has vaped in the past, although we strongly encourage people to avoid vaping and to quit if they currently vape.
Contact us today to schedule a dental exam in Dallas, TX
Be sure you avoid vaping to help keep your smile healthy. You can talk with us at Hamlett & La Mastra, DDS if you have further concerns about your smile and what you need to do to improve how it looks. Dr. Salvator La Mastra and the team at our clinic can see what is necessary for your teeth and gums, so contact us today to schedule a consultation. You can find our office in North Dallas, east of Love Field Airport.