There isn’t much research on how smoking cigarettes specifically impacts teeth. Dental health websites will accuse nicotine, tar, and tobacco for various dental issues but do not differentiate between the three. We’ll attempt to clarify a few myths and explain the consensus.
Many believe vaping is more beneficial than smoking cigarettes because there is no combustion. Therefore, no tar is created in vaping. Tar is a scourge, but it’s not the only chemical associated with tobacco to harm your teeth. For instance, chewing tobacco does not contain tartar but is especially harmful to teeth. Therefore, are all dental problems related to smoking due to nicotine?
We can’t be sure. Probably, nicotine isn’t harmless; irritation that could result even when chewing nicotine. There has been research that suggests quitting smoking cigarettes and consuming nicotine gum can lead to healthier teeth. There are other chemical elements in tobacco aside from nicotine and tar. Even though the liquid contains nicotine, it shares other chemical aspects with smoking. Based on cancer.gov:
“The most harmful chemicals in smokeless tobacco are tobacco-specific nitrosamines, which are formed during the growing, curing, fermenting, and aging of tobacco.”
“In addition to a variety of nitrosamines, other cancer-causing substances in smokeless tobacco include polonium-210 (a radioactive element found in tobacco fertilizer) and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons).”
In the same way, plenty of harmful chemicals are found in tobacco, not just nicotine and tar. Teeth problems related to smoking can result from several of them and could not be related to nicotine.
E liquids of high quality must be formulated with pure nicotine, meaning these chemicals shouldn’t be in vape. But, until studies are conducted regarding the vape’s ingredients and nicotine, it is challenging to determine how vaping affects teeth.
Despite the complicated nature of vaping, there are two opposing effects vaping can have on your mouth, which are typically deemed harmful to your teeth.
- Vaping causes dry mouth. Propylene Glycol (PG) is one of the main ingredients used in vape. It is a food additive approved as a food additive; therefore, it’s relatively safe to consume. The problem is that PG is a water-absorbing substance, which could result in dry mouth. Maintaining your mouth’s hydration is crucial to taking good care of your mouth. Smokers should drink plenty of water to combat this.
- Nicotine is vasoconstrictive. This means that it affects blood circulation and includes a reduction in the circulation of gums. It is a common occurrence that makes the gums and teeth more brittle.
Vaping is why it is not a viable alternative for those in no rush to stop smoking.