Albertville, AL
Years of research and expertise have deemed smoking a bad habit for your health. Although vaping is a newer technology and could appear to be a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco, there are still some questions about the negative health effects of vaping, including oral cancer. For oral cancer awareness month, your qualified Albertville dentists at Wall Street Dentistry are sharing the reasons why vaping isn’t better for you than smoking.
What is vaping?
Vaping is an alternative method to deliver nicotine to your body using an electronic cigarette or e-cigarette that emits vapor instead of tobacco smoke. Vaping has not been banned in many establishments such as restaurants and bars because it is an unscented mist that quickly dissipates in the air instead of clouding the air leaving a lingering smell. Family dentists in Albertville at Wall Street Dentistry advise that vaping could lead to a false sense of security in regards to the safety and your oral health.
Why is vaping bad for oral health?
When vaping, it is not uncommon for there to be a lack of smoke when exhaling. Although some people may believe the lack of smoke indicates it is a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, research has indicated that vaping is just as bad for your teeth as smoking tobacco. As the nicotine enters your mouth and lungs, they are filled with the same toxic chemicals that are in traditional tobacco cigarettes. Therefore, your body is receiving the same chemicals, just in a different way. The chemicals from e-cigarettes have been linked in scientific studies to respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer. In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, Wall Street Dentistry recommends ceasing e-cigarette use and spreading the information to other e-cigarette users to reduce the risk of developing oral cancer.
How does vaping affect my teeth?
While vaping, the amount of saliva produced by your mouth reduces, causing perfect conditions for the build-up of plaque, increased bacteria, and tooth decay. The reduction of saliva could cause expensive damages over time. Also, when using nicotine, it could prevent proper blood flow through your body. The lack of blood flow could cause your teeth and gums to receive fewer nutrients and much-needed oxygen, resulting in receding gums and damaged gum tissue. Unknown to most patients, nicotine could increase your risk of developing bruxism, which is the clenching and grinding of your teeth while sleeping. Neuromuscular dentists in Albertville at Wall Street Dentistry warn that bruxism could lead to severe damage to your teeth and continuous headaches with the potential to develop into temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
General Dentists in Albertville, Boaz, and Guntersville, Alabama
Although some people believe e-cigarettes are a safe alternative to smoking traditional tobacco cigarettes, the scientific evidence shows the same negative effects on your health. Therefore, Wall Street Dentistry recommends that you stop vaping and smoking to prevent dangerous oral health ramifications such as oral cancer. To get help with smoking or vaping, contact your primary care physician or our office for resources and possible treatment options. Feel free to call (256) 878-0525 or schedule an appointment online today for an oral cancer screening and to reclaim a smoke-free, vape-free, nicotine-free lifestyle.