Wrong fill on it: Vaping rots your teeth, study finds

People who vape are at higher risk of developing tooth decay, a new study warns.

After inhaling, the sticky, sugary contents of the vaping liquid stick to the teeth, causing all the damage.

The liquid also changes the microbiome of the mouth, making it more hospitable to cavity-causing bacteria.

And vaping seems to promote cavities in areas where it doesn’t usually occur, like the lower edge of the front teeth.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that 9.1 million American adults and two million teenagers use tobacco-based vaping products, which means there are plenty of teeth that are vulnerable to across the country.

The CDC also reported that 7.6% of 11-18 year olds used e-cigarettes in 2021.

This year in the UK, 8.6% of young people aged 11-18 said they vape occasionally or regularly. That’s a jump from 4% in 2021.

In recent years, public awareness of the systemic health dangers of vaping has grown, particularly after the use of vaping devices has been linked to lung disease.

Dr Karina Irusa, assistant professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, USA, and lead author of the study, said: “Some dental research has shown links between the use of e-cigarettes and increased markers of gum disease, and separately damage to tooth enamel, its outer shell.

“But relatively little emphasis has been placed on the intersection between e-cigarette use and oral health, even by dentists.” The research team analyzed data from more than 13,000 patients over the age of 16 who were treated at Tufts dental clinics from 2019 to 2022.

The team found that although the vast majority of patients did not use vapes, there was a significant difference in the risk of cavities between those who used them and the control group.

The data revealed that 79% of vaping patients had a high risk of suffering from cavities, while only about 60% of the control group had a similar level of risk.

Vaping patients were not asked if they used devices containing nicotine or THC, although nicotine was more common.

Researchers recommend that people who vape receive much more rigorous care to prevent cavities.

This could include prescription fluoride toothpaste and fluoride rinse, in-office fluoride applications, and more frequent checkups than twice a year.

Dr. Irusa thinks these new findings may just be a clue to the damage vaping does to the mouth.

She said: “The extent of the effects on dental health, particularly tooth decay, is still relatively unknown. At this point, I’m just trying to raise awareness. She added: “It is important to understand that this is preliminary data.

“It’s not 100% conclusive, but people need to be aware of what we’re seeing.”

Dr. Irusa and his team now want to take a closer look at how vaping affects the microbiology of saliva to further their research.

She said: “It takes a lot of investment of time and money to manage dental caries (the dental term for cavities), depending on their severity.

“Once you start the habit, even if you have fillings, as long as you keep going, you’re still at risk for secondary cavities. It has an aesthetic impact.

“It’s a vicious circle that won’t stop.” A previous study, published in the journal PLOS one, compared e-cigarettes to gummies and acidic drinks.

He reported, “Certain e-liquid ingredients interact with the hard tissues of the oral cavity in a way that resembles high-sucrose candies and acidic beverages that harm teeth.”

The current study was published in The Journal of the American Dental Association.