Vaping involves inhaling and exhaling the aerosol produced by an electronic cigarette. Electronic cigarettes were introduced to help people quit smoking but are now marketed as less harmful than conventional cigarettes. They come in various shapes and sizes, including flash drives and pens. Vaping devices consist of a mouthpiece, battery, e-liquid cartridge, and heating component. When used, the battery heats up the heating component, which turns the e-liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled. E-liquids typically contain nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, flavorings, and other chemicals. Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development and oral health.

1. 18 STUDENT DIGEST | MUMBAI | OCTOBER 2019
Vaping
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling the aerosol produced
by an electronic cigarette. Electronic cigarette is a battery
operated device that emits doses of nicotine or non nicotine
solutions. It was introduced in the market as an alternative
approach for quitting smoking. They have been marketed as a
less harmful alternative to conventional cigarettes. They come
in many different shapes and sizes. Some e-cigarettes look
like regular cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. Some look like USB
flash drives, and pens. They are also called e-cigs e-hookahs,
mods, vape pens, vapes, tank systems, and electronic nicotine
delivery systems.
Generally, a vaping device consists of a mouthpiece, battery,
cartridge for containing the e-liquid and a heating component
for the device that is powered by a battery. When the device is
used, the battery heats up the heating component, which turns
the contents of the e-liquid into an aerosol that is inhaled and
then exhaled.
The liquid is usually made up of propylene glycol, vegetable
glycerine with nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals.
Nicotine is highly addictive and can harm brain development.
Nicotine affects the heart, lungs and oral health. Propylene
glycol acts as a carrier for nicotine. When used orally, the
breakdown products of propylene glycoli.e. acetic acid, lactic
acid and propionaldehyde are toxic to enamel and soft tissue.
In addition, propylene glycol also leads to tissue desiccation
and xerostomia.
Studies have shown that the combination of vegetable
glycerine with flavourings increase the microbial adhesion
Health
to enamel and biofilm formation. E-liquid allows more cavity-
causing bacteria to stick to a softer tooth and can lead to
rampant decay. The FDA has now mandated all e-liquid
products to feature the following warning: “WARNING: This
product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.”
Effects of Vaping on Oral Health
The effects of E-cigarette on the oral health can vary
depending on the type, frequency and individual response.
Nicotine products have been associated with increasing risk
of developing gum disease which can result in tooth loss.
Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, which constricts the blood
vessels and reduces the amount of nutrient and oxygenated
blood flow to the gums as well as immune cells responsible
for attacking infections or foreign bodies. It affects cytokine
production,neutrophilfunction,andotherimmunecellfunction.
In addition, nicotine decreases connective tissue turnover. All
of this results in a much higher chance of developing gum
disease and tooth loss.
Nicotine can have a muscle stimulant effect in many people,
exacerbating clenching and grinding and the dental problems
they can lead to. The high heat of vapour as it enters the
mouth and chemical properties of nicotine can frequently both
cause xerostomia and tooth sensitivity. More severe exposure
can lead to nicotine stomatitis, a reddened, irritated thickening
of the skin tissue in the mouth. E-cigarettes also contain
toxic chemicals which have been linked to cancer, as well as
respiratory and heart disease. E-Cigarette can affect oral and
overall health.
Vaping &
Oral Health
Dr. Kamala D. N.
Dental Surgeon
Bangalore, Karnataka