Arlington Heights IL Dentist | What to Know About E-Cigarettes and Your Oral Health

The hazards surrounding vaping are not entirely clear. More research is needed in this area, but a recent study indicates that e-cigarette vapors could be damaging to your mouth. Here’s what you need to know.

The Vapor Ingredients

Electronic cigarettes are not regulated in the same way tobacco cigarettes are, meaning that their contents can be inaccurately labeled without any oversight. Contents that e-juice usually contains include nicotine, glycerin, chemical flavoring, and propylene glycol. Some of these substances are safe in food, such as chemical flavors, but the effects of inhaling them is not well researched. Heating these chemicals can form dangerous carcinogens such as formaldehyde. E-cigarettes might also include tiny metals and particles that you inhale while smoking.

What This Means for Your Oral Health

A recent study from UCLA found that vapors from an e-cigarette can kill the cells in your oral cavity, or the area of your mouth beyond your teeth and gums. The study placed oral cells in an environment where electronic cigarette smoke was produced for 24 hours, in a machine simulating how a person would smoke. During the test, 85% of the cells died. According to the lead author of the study, they plan to move forward to test the impacts in humans.

These cells are your mouth’s defense by helping to release antioxidants. As the cells die off or become less effective, your mouth becomes more vulnerable to oral diseases.

Another study by the University of Rochester Medical Center concluded e-cigarettes are just as bad for your gums as tobacco cigarettes are. Nicotine, which both types of cigarettes contain, is a known factor in contributing to gum disease.

Steps You Can Take

Since the e-juice industry is largely unregulated, it is best to avoid smoking electronic cigarettes. The carcinogenic contents pose serious risks to your health, especially to your mouth. Your mouth relies on the functions of these important cells to defend itself against dangerous bacteria and other substances. Without your mouth’s natural defense system, you open yourself up to oral disease.

Make sure you are regularly visiting our office, especially if you are a smoker of either tobacco cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes. Our experienced dental team will perform a complete oral examination during your visit to check for signs of oral disease. Being proactive is your best defense against combating oral disease.

For more tips from our Arlington Heights dentist on keeping your mouth healthy or to schedule your next visit, please contact John J. Dzakovich DDS of Arlington Heights.

 

John J. Dzakovich DDS of Arlington Heights
Phone: (847) 255-4889
1608 N Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

Dentist Arlington Heights | Are you at high risk for Periodontal Disease?

Dentist Arlington Heights, IL

Arlington Heights IL DentistPeriodontal disease is the number one cause of tooth loss. It can impact your overall health and is linked to various serious diseases, including: heart disease, stroke and diabetes.

We often talk about home oral hygiene and professional oral health care as ways to decrease your odds of developing periodontal disease. However, even with regular and thorough preventive care, you may be susceptible.

According to the American Academy of Periodontology, there are several risk factors which contribute to the likelihood of developing periodontal disease, including:

  • Smoking – Tobacco use is of the most significant risk factors associated with periodontal disease, according to recent studies.
  • Stress – Stress can make it difficult for your body to fight infections, including periodontal disease.
  • Medication – Some medications can have adverse effects on your oral health. Certain anti-depressants, oral contraceptives and heart medicines have been linked to higher rates of periodontal disease. Be sure to update us of any new medications you may be taking.
  • Bruxism/Clenching/Grinding – Grinding your teeth can put extra stress on the soft tissue and supporting structures of your teeth. This could speed up the rate at which periodontal disease progresses.
  • Systemic Diseases – Other systemic diseases, such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular disease contribute to the body’s inflammatory response and can increase the odds of developing periodontal disease, as well as increase the rate of progression.
  • Genetics – Studies have linked genetic factors to the odds of developing periodontal disease.

We have seen the damaging oral and overall effects of periodontal disease many times. It is our goal to help you attain optimal oral and overall health. If you feel you may have risk factors making you more susceptible to periodontal disease, please contact our Arlington Heights dentist. We will provide an individual care plan to decrease your odds of developing this disease. Just like any disease, prevention and early detection are best.