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Vaping vs. Smoking: Is One Better For Oral Health?

Vaping vs. Smoking: Is One Better For Oral Health?
by Caroline Pickens

The trend of replacing cigarettes with e-cigarettes is gaining traction around the globe. Many smokers are opting for the electronic substitute (also known as vaping) to improve their health, while others believe that both are equally detrimental to a person's health.

Dentists need to broach the subject of smoking with their patients and dig deeper to fully evaluate what those in their care need to know.

Benefits of e-cigs

The good thing about e-cigarettes is there is that they do not contain tobacco, a major destroyer of oral health. Since e-cigs use heated water vapor, they are also considered to be smokeless, which removes many carcinogens from the habit.
 
In fact, a Public Health England review claimed e-cigarettes are an astounding 95 percent less harmful than traditional cigarettes. The vapors come in many flavors and strengths, and are commonly used as a "stepping stone" for those who want to quit smoking altogether.

However, there are no studies that prove their efficacy in cutting a smoking habit.

Harm of e-cigs

As with any heated inhalant, increased temperatures damage cell walls in the lungs, mouth and throat. This damage can lead to oral, esophageal and lung cancers.

Like cigarettes, e-cig solutions almost always contain nicotine, a habit-forming chemical. Nicotine can increase the likelihood of developing periodontitis and can also mask the diagnosis of early gum disease from dental professionals. E-cigarette usage can also lead to inhalant-related problems, like emphysema.

The new trend attracts younger users as well. Teens are more likely to try an e-cigarette than a conventional cigarette. A surprising 19 percent of surveyed middle and high schoolers surveyed admitted they had tried vaping, as reported by the National Youth Tobacco Survey.

Because vaping is currently in vogue, and has been for a few years now, it may be difficult to dissuade teenagers from trying it.

Read full article on MultiBriefs.