How vaping affects your dental health

The use of vapes (or e-cigarettes) has risen significantly in Australia. Flavoured options and subtle packaging have, among other factors, allowed vapes to grow in popularity despite concern about the health risks.

Vaping is often seen as a less harmful alternative to smoking, but it’s far from risk-free – especially when it comes to your teeth and gums.

We spoke to Dr Jenifer Jiang from MC Dental Melbourne Central about the effects of vaping on dental health.

How vaping affects your dental health

Vaping can increase your risk of gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer. Even some of the milder effects of vaping, like dry mouth, can have serious implications for your dental health. That’s because, without enough saliva to protect your teeth, you’re more likely to develop tooth decay.

Dr Jenifer Jiang explains that saliva is essential for our dental health: it neutralises harmful acids caused by sugary food and drink, it helps wash away food particles, and it helps strengthen the enamel that protects our teeth.

“It’s basically miracle water,” Dr Jenifer Jiang jokes. “It’s so important for our dental health. That’s why, when saliva production slows down, which can happen if you’re vaping, it can be a real problem.”

Another risk posed by vaping is the effect of nicotine on the blood vessels in the gums.

“If a vape contains nicotine, it can reduce signs of inflammation in the mouth,” says Dr Jiang. “The nicotine reduces blood flow, so you don’t see any inflammation, but what people don’t realise is that the bone underneath is still being chomped away and regressing. This can potentially delay diagnosis and make the problem worse.”

It’s important to know that most vapes in Australia contain nicotine – even if the packaging says it doesn’t.

Does vaping stain teeth?

Unlike tobacco smoke, vapes don’t contain tar, meaning they are technically less likely than cigarettes to cause deep yellow or brown stains.

But that doesn’t mean your teeth are in the clear. Some vapes, particularly ones with artificial flavours, can still lead to surface staining over time. Plus, damage to tooth enamel caused by dry mouth can make your teeth more susceptible to staining.

Is vaping better for your teeth than smoking?

It’s a popular question – and a flawed one. Neither vaping nor smoking is good for your dental or overall health.

“In fact, in a way, vaping is worse than cigarettes,” says Dr Jiang. “Vapes tend to contain flavourings and additives that cigarettes don’t. These often contain sugar which contribute to plaque build-up and therefore gum disease.”

How does vaping affect your overall health?

In addition to being bad news for your dental health, vaping is associated with several other health risks.

Some known risks of vaping include:

persistent coughing
nausea and vomiting
poisoning
seizures
nicotine addiction
respiratory issues
permanent lung damage

There is also growing concern that vaping increases a person’s risk of lung disease, heart disease and cancer.

If you’re concerned about your use of vapes or cigarettes and would like support to stop, help is available. Contact Quitline for free, non-judgemental and confidential support.

How to prevent damage to your teeth

If you vape or smoke, there are some steps you can take to help protect your dental health.

See your dentist regularly. Catching early signs of gum disease or decay is key to managing problems before they get worse.
Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day and consider using a fluoride mouthwash to help keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Stay hydrated. Vaping can cause dry mouth, which increases the risk of decay. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your saliva flowing and protects enamel.
Chew sugar-free gum. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help you produce saliva and protect against tooth decay.
Be mindful of sugar. Some vape liquids contain sweeteners, which can feed bacteria in your mouth and lead to plaque build-up.