“There’s no ‘better for you’ cigarette out there in the marketplace. Whether you choose to vape or smoke, you still risk becoming addicted to nicotine, which can negatively impact your oral and overall health greatly over time,” said American Dental Association (ADA) dentist, Mirissa Price, D.M.D.
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Did you know tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States? While some forms of tobacco may be marketed as less harmful than others, the truth is that there’s no safe tobacco product. Each one threatens your dental and overall health, including e-cigarettes.
E-cigarettes (or vape pens) are used by around 8% of people in the United States and have been the most commonly used tobacco product among American youth for the last decade. Results of the 2024 National Youth Tobacco Survey show that almost 6% of middle and high school students use e-cigarettes and more than 1 in 4 youth e-cigarette users reported vaping daily. These are concerning statistics because e-cigarettes contain harmful substances like nicotine and cancer-causing chemicals that put the user’s health at risk. Youth who vape may also be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future.
“There’s no ‘better for you’ cigarette out there in the marketplace. Whether you choose to vape or smoke, you still risk becoming addicted to nicotine, which can negatively impact your oral and overall health greatly over time,” said American Dental Association (ADA) dentist, Mirissa Price, D.M.D.
Here’s what to know about vaping, and why you shouldn’t use e-cigarettes.
Vaping is breathing in the aerosol (or vapor mist) created by an e-cigarette. The aerosol is formed when the e-cigarette’s battery heats up the liquid (or e-juice) inside its special cartridge. The liquid in this cartridge often contains nicotine, along with flavorings and other chemicals that can be harmful when inhaled.
Nicotine is the highly addictive substance found in tobacco. It’s known to affect brain development related to memory, attention, and emotional regulation in children, teens and young adults, and can cause illness — and in severe cases, coma or death — if swallowed. Average nicotine strength in e-cigarettes has increased with vaping’s popularity, and research shows that it’s now double the amount of nicotine inhaled from a pack of cigarettes. Even cartridges claiming to be nicotine-free have been shown to contain some nicotine.
Other harmful substances that have been found in vape cartridges include chemicals known to cause cancer; heavy metals such as nickel, tin and lead; and small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. “The flavorings in e-juice are designed to attract youth and young adults, and they may also contain sugar, which contributes to tooth decay,” said Dr. Price. “Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease, and increases the risk for infections, heart disease, and a weakened immune system.”
Vape pen batteries can heat the liquid to 400 degrees F in seconds. Cases of people being hurt by e-cigarettes exploding or causing fires inside their mouths have been covered in the news. Using a high heat setting can turn the aerosol more yellow, which could result in tooth discoloration, and make the aerosol stickier so that it remains on your teeth for a long time.
A study published in The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) found a correlation between people who vape and people with untreated cavities, but more research is needed to know if the cavities are caused by vaping.
If you already vape, quitting today will improve your health. Visit MouthHealthy.org/vaping for more information, along with helpful resources.
“Ask your dentist for suggestions and support too,” said Dr. Price. “Your dentist, who cares about your health, is there to offer guidance and motivation to help you stop using e-cigarettes.”
