Sean Lynam explores the effects of vaping on the oral microbiome.

As the popularity of vapes has increased, the risk factors of this widespread demand of tobacco and its effects on the oral microbiome are yet to be tested. According to the National Library of Medicine, the use of vapes has been associated with an increased risk of peritonitis and caries due to the high tobacco content.

While the obvious disadvantages of vaping are evident, understanding the role of the oral microbiome is essential to making an informed decision about your oral health as a vape user.

The role of the oral microbiome

The simplest way to understand the importance of the oral microbiome is by considering it as an ecosystem for your oral health. This ecosystem harbours many different types of microorganisms that are useful for maintaining the optimum balance of your mouth.

When an individual vapes, they essentially kill the microorganisms that are responsible for maintaining oral health, which can lead to various types of bacterial development, oral infections, and long-term oral health issues.

Moreover, the healthy microorganisms found in the oral microbiome are also known for providing defence against risk factors, like inflammatory diseases, common sleep disorders, chronic insulin resistance, and Alzheimer’s, among others.

What’s the connection?

While the direct and long-term consequences of vaping on the oral microbiome are still being explored, the latest research shows that the elements found in e-cigarettes have the capacity to alter the natural state of your oral microbiome, inviting a plethora of diseases.

Vaping can negatively impact the oral microbiome by:

  • Making an individual more susceptible to gum diseases by introducing harmful bacteria, like Porphyromonas and Veillonella, in your saliva.
  • Increasing the risk of cell infections and inflammation as a result of extended exposure to aerosols, found in vapes. This may even increase the risk of cancer cell growth.
  • Contributing to tooth decay owing to increased biofilm production, due to the toxic compounds found in e-cigarettes, such as vegetable glycerin.

From the current research, it’s obvious that the impact of vaping on the oral microbiome is detrimental, andcan lead to oral, respiratory, and immunity diseases.

Maintaining oral health

The information already discussed in the article highlights the impacts of vaping on an individual’s oral health. Some useful tips to share with patients and colleagues alike might include:

  • Quit vaping: The easiest way to protect the oral microbiome from the negative impact of vaping is to quit it as soon as possible. Just like smoking can be contained by taking medication like cytisine tablets, or seeking help from a doctor, similarly, vaping can also be contained by following a quit plan.
  • A reduction in vaping: If quitting entirely isn’t possible, it might be time for a patient to explore ways to reduce their vaping habits. They could start by reducing the number of times they vape per day. This will help control the withdrawal symptoms.
  • Prioritise oral health: Maintaining oral hygiene, whether it’s by brushing twice a day, using dental floss, or visiting your dentist more frequently, can help curb some of the negative impacts of vaping.
  • Avoid dry mouth: A dry mouth is more likely to be affected by vaping. It might be worthwhile to recommend that a patient measure how much water they are drinking daily. If medications are being taken, that could contribute to a dry mouth, and it is important to take extra care to ensure sufficient production of saliva. Recommend patients avoid drinking aerated or alcoholic drinks as they will dry out the mouth more.

While it’s hard to understand the long-term consequences of vaping and e-cigarettes on oral health as a vaper, the chemicals found in vapes are toxic to oral health and contribute to an imbalance in the oral microbiome.

Aside from correlational studies showing the impact of vaping on oral health, it has also been shown to have contributed to various respiratory symptoms, common sleep disorders, and other immune diseases, including cancer.

Moving forward, it is important to encourage patients to reduce vape usage and take care of their oral health, at least until there is more research into the effects and necessary precautions for vapers.

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