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 an effective tool to help people quit smoking, excessive use could trigger the condition that results in temporary loss of taste.
Cases of vape tongue are on the rise due to excessive vaping, a dentist has warned[/caption]
Vaping can impact your teeth and gums, leading to problems like gum disease and tooth decay[/caption]
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 The Neem Tree Dental Practice.
And if you find yourself experiencing vape tongue, it’s essential to cut down on vaping and maintain excellent oral hygiene, said Dr Smita.
She 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.”
When we talk about the impact of smoking 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 that the associated risks of such habits start in their mouths, said Dr Smita.
She added: “Tobacco products, no matter how they are ingested, can have a variety of detrimental and irreversible effects on oral health.”
Vape tongue isn’t the only mouth issue that can arise from regular vaping.
Dr Smita shares the other ways tobacco products like vapes can impact your oral health.
Impact your teeth and gums
First and foremost, tobacco products containing nicotine, like cigarettes and vapes, can have a detrimental effect on your teeth and gums that can leave your mouth in poor shape, said Dr Smita.
She explained: “This is because tobacco products are filled with toxic chemicals that seep into your gums, traumatising and severely affecting the gums and even the dental bone in which your teeth sit.
“This leaves the mouth more vulnerable to infection, which is often one of the main contributors to gum disease.
“Plaque buildup from tobacco can also turn into tartar, which can cause your gums to inflame and recede, exposing the roots of your teeth, and leading to chronic problems like tooth and bone loss.
“This can lead to expensive solutions to replace missing teeth, like implants, bridges or dentures.
“Nothing is as good as keeping your own natural teeth and gums healthy.”
Increases your risk of oral cancer
Most people are aware that smoking or using tobacco products increases your chances of lung cancer.
But it can also put you at risk of mouth/oral cancer, said Dr Smita.
She warned: “Approximately 17 per cent of oral cancers in the UK are linked to smoking.
“When you smoke or use vapes, you risk severely damaging not only your heart and lungs, but also your mouth, tongue, and lips too.
“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.”
Tooth decay becomes a problem
Nicotine can have severe effects on tooth decay – perhaps something that isn’t as well known, said Dr Smita.
She advised: “When you smoke, the chemicals in tobacco mix with your saliva, causing its PH levels to drop, and become less effective at neutralising acids.
“As a result, this creates the perfect environment for tooth decay – because the bacteria in your mouth can more easily damage the enamel on your teeth.
“Tooth decay is extremely serious as it can lead to problems such as cavities, tooth loss and even more serious health problems in the future.”
Damage implants and surgery
Though we all know smoking and the harmful chemicals in tobacco products can impact our health, what some people may not know is that it can also have an impact on recovery from oral surgery.
Dr Smita said: “Toxic chemicals in tobacco products can reduce blood flow to the gums, making it much harder for your mouth to fully recover after dental surgery.
“Not only that, but it can also lead to implant failure, because the titanium post cannot fuse with the bone properly, as well as causing post-surgery problems like infections and longer recovery times.
“Implants need healthy bones to remain sturdy and successful.”
Causes bad breath
One of the most obvious ways smoking and tobacco products impact your oral health is by causing bad breath, also known as halitosis, said Dr Smita.
She added: “While vapes have tried to combat this issue by masking the smell with fruity or menthol flavours, the harmful chemicals in tobacco inherently change the chemistry in your mouth, leading to the build-up of sulphur, which has a consistently bad smell.”
Vaping may also be the cause of your halitosis[/caption]
Reduces your mouth’s natural defences
Tobacco products harm your oral health by breaking down your mouth’s natural defences, and when you smoke or vape, it slows down saliva production in the mouth, said Dr Smita.
She recommended: “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.”
Increases dry mouth and tooth sensitivity
Smoking can cause you to experience a dry mouth or have increased tooth sensitivity.
This is because tobacco products 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.”
How to quit tobacco products and protect your teeth
The good news is, if you quit smoking or stop using tobacco products, you can increase your chances of looking after your oral health.
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.
