New study suggests vaping could increase risk of cavities
A new study suggests that vaping could increase the risk of developing cavities.
Dr Karina Irusa, study author and assistant professor of comprehensive care at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, explained that the liquids and aerosols used in e-cigarettes can coat the teeth in a sticky film, which encourages bacteria to grow. She compared vaping to “going to bed sucking on a lollipop” and said that exposing the teeth to sugary liquids provided a breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause decay.
The preliminary findings of the study have been published in the Journal of the American Dental Association and indicate that there could be a link between vaping and an increased risk of cavities, rather than suggesting that vaping causes decay. Researchers found that people who vaped had a higher risk of decay based on analysing data from a group of patients who attended the dental school’s clinic.
A link between vaping and tooth decay could be hugely significant, particularly among teens and young adults, who are much more likely to use e-cigarettes than older people. Prof Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a professor of paediatrics at Stanford University, said that “young people are vaping 24/7” and many keep an e-cigarette with them at night, waking up to take a drag in “the middle of the night.”
Dr Irusa’s study indicates a connection between vaping and an elevated risk of cavities. The risk level among the group of vapers was “significantly higher” than in the non-vapers group. Researchers believe that people who are at risk of decay could benefit from using mouthwash and other treatments, such as prescription fluoride toothpaste, to protect the teeth.
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