With the rising popularity of vaping products amongst teens and young adults we feel that it’s important as a family dental clinic to provide you with as many facts as possible to inform your choices.
If you choose to smoke or vape, it’s important to understand how these habits can affect your body. Here’s a look at the impact of smoking and vaping on your oral health.
How Smoking Impacts Oral Health
In addition to containing a highly addictive drug called nicotine, tobacco products have a disastrous effect on your oral health. Smoking cigarettes causes tooth discolouration and decay as well as gum disease. It also gives you bad breath and reduces your ability to smell and taste. What’s more, smoking continuously increases your risk of developing various oral cancers including cancer of the lips, tongue, palate, gums and throat. Visit your dentist regularly for routine exams, as oral cancer screening is performed as part of your check-up.
The Effects of Vaping on Oral Health
While research is limited, initial studies indicate that vaping can have negative consequences on your oral health. Currently, research suggests that flavoured aerosols can cause excess bacteria and plaque to accumulate on your teeth and gums. This increases your risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Furthermore, the heat from a vaporizer and certain ingredients in the liquid used in these products can contribute to chronic dry mouth, which leads to bad breath, mouth sores, cavities and other oral hygiene issues.
How You Can Reduce the Risk
The best way to protect your teeth, mouth and gums is to avoid smoking and vaping altogether. However, if you do engage in either of these habits, there are a few steps you can take to minimize the impact. You should:
Drink plenty of water, especially right after smoking or vaping
Brush your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristle brush and fluoride toothpaste
Floss your teeth daily
Visit your family dentist twice a year for a professional cleaning and dental exam
Look for white or red patches on your gums, cheeks and tongue, and consult your dentist if you notice any irregularities
While a consistent oral hygiene routine can help slow tooth decay and delay the onset of gum disease, it should be noted that these precautions aren’t enough to prevent the negative health effects of smoking and vaping..
Visit Your Family Dentist in SE Calgary!
At Forest Lawn Dental Centre, we offer general dentistry and cosmetic dentistry services to meet the needs of your entire family. Our friendly staff is committed to helping patients of all ages maintain and restore their healthy smile. For more information about oral hygiene or to schedule an appointment at our SE Calgary clinic, contact us today!