Electronic cigarette vapor can trigger gum disease

Electronic cigarette vapor

If you use electronic cigarettes instead of regular cigarettes in the hope to avoid severe damage to gums and teeth, you might want to reconsider. The vapor from electronic cigarettes can have an adverse impact on your oral health, and can even lead to cellular level ill-effects. The nicotine, even though inhaled as combusted vapor, in such cigarettes is the primary agent that triggers gum disease and deterioration in teeth health.

Landmark study confirms e-cigarettes’ cellular damage

A comprehensive study on electronic cigarettes was carried out by the University of Rochester Medical Center. The first scientific research on the subject, it found that electronic cigarettes cause as much damage to teeth and gums as conventional cigarettes.

Study challenges e-cigarette’s popular use

Lack of direct smoke inhalation in electronic cigarettes is a major reason for its popularity while also providing better protection to oral health. This common perception has been challenged by the study. The study was published in Oncotarget, a cancer research journal, and is the first research study to focus on electronic cigarettes and their negative effect on oral health and molecular and cellular levels. The scientific study was led by Irfan Rahman, a Ph.D. professor of Environmental Medicine at the UR School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Electronic vapor as harmful as smoke

Scientists believed that it was the nicotine and the chemicals in electronic vape smoke in conventional cigarettes that was the reasons behind the ill-effects. But latest data and the Rochester study found that the combustion effect in electronic cigarettes was also harmful.

E-cigarette flavorings can worsen call damage

The vapor and flavorings from electronic cigarettes have also been shown to damage lung cells, and those in the mouth. Evidence for this was found when 3-D human, non-smoker gum tissue was exposed to the vapors of electronic cigarettes. Some flavorings, in fact, made cell damage worse.

Hype surrounding electronic cigarettes

Ever since the modern electronic cigarette was invented in China in 2003, it gained immense popularity in North America and Europe. Its continuing use among smokers, former smokers and young adults is due to its positive perception in being a healthier choice as compared to conventional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes were marketed as having less nicotine and other harmful chemicals in their vapor.

Damage proportional to length of e-cigarette smoking

When the vapors in an electronic cigarette are burned and inhaled, it leads to cells releasing inflammatory proteins. This increases stress in cells, causing damage, resulting in many types of oral diseases. The research also said that frequency of inhaling electronic cigarette vapors would determine the extent of damage to the oral cavity.

How do e-cigarettes operate

Most electronic cigarettes have a heating device, battery, and a cartridge that contains liquid, which usually has nicotine, other chemical and flavorings. The electronic device heats the liquid in the cartridge into an aerosol, which is inhaled by the user.

Undisclosed chemicals in e-cigarettes cause for concern

The Rochester study also said that further comprehensive research is required to gain a better understanding of smoking electronic cigarettes. It was important that manufacturers reveal all the chemicals and materials to warn electronic cigarette users.

Source: University of Rochester Medical Center