Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes) Harm Oral Health as Much as Tobacco

Although electronic cigarettes are rapidly gaining popularity in our country and worldwide, their safety remains debated because long-term health effects are unknown. Many studies therefore examine these devices marketed as a “safer alternative to normal cigarettes.” New research suggests e-cigarettes may be as harmful to oral health as conventional smoking.

Oncotarget published research finding that chemicals in e-cigarette vapor can damage oral cells like tobacco smoke, and may sometimes be more harmful.

According to United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, particularly e-cigarette use among young people has risen alarmingly (in 2013, there were 780 000 young users; by 2015, the figure exceeded 3 million). Despite prohibited sales, increasing numbers of people in our country are seen using these products.

E-cigarettes consist of a liquid cartridge, heater and atomizer. When heated, users inhale as with conventional cigarettes. They contain heavy metals, nicotine and flavoring agents, but no tobacco.

Flavored Vapor Damages Gum Cells

Researchers exposed gum tissue from nonsmoking participants to tobacco- or menthol-flavored e-cigarette vapor. Tobacco-flavored vapor contained 16 milligrams of nicotine; menthol vapor contained 13-16 milligrams or none.

Compared with Tobacco Smoke, E-Cigarette Vapor Also Damaged Gum Cells

Menthol-flavored products caused the most damage.

According to the study, heat damage from e-cigarettes causes release of cellular inflammatory proteins, producing oxidative-stress-related DNA mutations. This stresses cells and leads to many oral diseases.

Nicotine’s gum-cell damage was already known; this study also showed flavorings increase vapor-related cellular damage. These harms from e-cigarettes, whose safety remains uncertain, may lead to gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer.