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‘Vape tongue’ cases on steep rise, warns expert – plus 5 other ways vaping can impact your oral health
Vaping can cause a dry mouth which leads to bad breath and more
A DENTIST has warned of a little-known phenomenon that's emerging due to vaping - something known as "vape tongue".
While vaping has been hailed as an effective tool to help people quit smoking, excessive use could trigger the condition that results in temporary loss of taste.
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A high intake of nicotine from vaping, combined with dry mouth, contributes to a reduced ability to taste food, warns Dr Smita Mehra, Principal Dentist at .
And if you find yourself experiencing vape tongue, it's essential to cut down on vaping and maintain excellent oral hygiene, she said.
Dr Smita advised: "To alleviate symptoms, drink water - since the condition is linked to dehydration, staying fully hydrated is crucial.
"Also clean your mouth - when brushing your teeth, make sure to clean your tongue using either the bristles of your toothbrush or a tongue scraper."
Read more on vaping
When we talk about the impact of smoking and vaping on our health, often the dangers tend to focus on the impact on the lungs, heart, and even skin.
Yet, what smokers and vapers often fail to recognise is the associated risks of such habits start in their mouths, said Dr Smita.
Vape tongue isn't the only mouth issue that can arise from regular vaping.
Dr Smita shares the other ways vapes can impact your oral health.
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1. Tooth loss
First and foremost, the chemicals in vapes can have a detrimental effect on your teeth and gums, leaving your mouth in poor shape, said Dr Smita.
She explained: "Vapes contain chemicals that seep into your gums, traumatising and severely affecting the gums and even the dental bone in which your teeth sit.
All the ways your vaping is ageing you... and could even be worse for your skin than cigarettes
"This leaves the mouth more vulnerable to infection, which is often one of the main contributors to gum disease."
According to Bupa, vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol present in many vape liquids (among several other chemical additives) create a sticky, viscous substance that changes the bacterial makeup of your mouth.
This can lead to excess bacteria in the mouth, which can result in tooth decay, gum disease and gum recession.
2. Risk of oral cancer
Most people are aware that smoking increases your chances of lung cancer.
But Dr Smita says links have also been made to vaping and mouth/oral cancer.
She said: "This is because the harmful chemicals in tobacco products damage the cells in the mouth.
"Oral cancer can have serious consequences beyond your mouth and teeth, such as disfigurement, tooth loss, and death."
A USC study found that e-cigarette users have similar cancer-related gene changes in their oral tissue as cigarette smokers - although the link between oral cancer and vaping is not full established.
Cancer Research UK says: "Some potentially harmful chemicals have been found in e-cigarettes. But levels are usually low and generally far lower than in tobacco cigarettes.
"There is no good evidence that vaping causes cancer."
3. Increases dry mouth and tooth sensitivity
Vapes cause your salivary glands to not produce enough saliva, said Dr Smita.
She added: "Though this might not seem that serious, when your mouth is dry, it can’t wash away bacteria properly, making you more prone to tooth decay and cavities.
"Without saliva production, your mouth can’t break down acids as well, making your teeth much more sensitive."
4. Bad breath
A dry mouth is also a key contributor to bad breath, also known as halitosis.
She says "vapes have tried to combat this issue by masking the smell with fruity or menthol flavours".
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5. Reduces your mouth's natural defences
A dry mouth caused by vaping can also negatively impact the natural bacterial defences in your mouth.
She Smita said: "As salvia is one of your mouth's main shields against bacteria from food and drink, without it, you are much more vulnerable to infection and gum disease."
How to quit smoking or vaping and protect your teeth
The good news is, if you quit smoking or vapes, you can increase your chances of looking after your oral health.
Read More on The Sun
Dr Smita recommends plenty of ways to do this:
- Using gum lozenges or patches to replace nicotine.
- You can join a group that can offer advice and support when quitting, and encourage you to keep going if you experience any moments of weakness.
- There are also plenty of apps, websites, and forums to help you quit and track progress.
- Your dentist can also be a big help when trying to quit smoking, as they can give you advice to fit your individual needs.
The 4 horrifying things that can happen to your body after vaping
VAPES were once hailed as miracle devices to help adults ditch cigarettes.
But while the devices don't carry the same risks as tobacco, experts have warned that vaping might not be so harmless after all.
Here are five ways vaping could damage young users bodies:
1. It could slow down brain development
Vaping nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under the age of 25, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
It said that nicotine consumed during teenage years can harm the parts of the brain that control attention, learning, mood, and impulse control, as well as increase the risk of addiction.
2. It could lead to tooth decay
Dr Michael Heffernan, a dentist at The Wessex Dental Specialist Care, said most vapes contain dangerous chemical that can harm your teeth and lead to decay.
Puffing on the devices could also lead to mouth dryness, creating an environment in which harmful bacteria can grow.
3. It could damage heart health
However, some of the chemicals found in vapes can be damaging to the heart, with the American Heart Association (AHA) stating that vaping is "as harmful to the body's cardiovascular systems as cigarettes".
4. It could cause lung disease
Vaping from a young age could leave children with breathing difficulties, with paediatric respiratory consultant Dr Mike McKean saying he'd seen reports of people developing lung disease related to vaping.
Researchers from the US also found that young people who vape are more at risk of bronchitis, inflammation of the airways, and shortness of breath.
Read more on how vaping can affect your health here.
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