Does electronic cigarette affect oral health?

by Wildsmile

In recent years, electronic cigarettes have become a popular habit among young people and adults around the world, and their use, theoretically, is based on the false idea that they are healthier, but this idea couldn't be more wrong. Do you want to know how electronic cigarettes can affect your oral health?

Electronic cigarettes as an alternative to conventional tobacco

Electronic cigarettes are currently a very popular trend among young people and adults, as they offer some "advantages" compared to conventional cigarettes, such as being allowed in restaurants, shopping malls, cafés and bars. Another thing that has also popularised their consumption is that they are supposedly a "healthier alternative to tobacco", since, as there is no combustion, toxic substances such as tar and carbon monoxide are not inhaled. However, this idea could not be more wrong, as the cartridges with which they work contain nicotine, artificial flavourings, glycerine, propylene glycol and among other substances that are highly harmful not only to oral health, but to the whole body in general.

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Oral problems caused by electronic cigarettes

The cartridges used in electronic cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is one of the most influential alkaloids in lowering the natural defenses against gum disease, affecting blood vessels and reducing the ability to respond to bacteria. Depending on the individual's use of electronic cigarettes, the possible diseases are:

• - Reduced blood flow. Promotes gum recession due to lack of nutrients and oxygenation
• - Periodontitis
• - Increased bacterial plaque
• - Halitosis
• - Xerostomia or dry mouth
• - Poor healing of oral wounds
• - Alterations in the pH of the mouth
• - Caries
• - Oral cancer

It is very important to highlight that there is currently no scientific evidence that electronic cigarettes help to stop smoking conventional cigarettes. The truth is that exchanging one vice for another is not the best idea to start taking care of your health.

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