According to NBC News, researchers at Tufts University of Dentistry (USA) discovered that the content of e-cigarettes can coat the teeth with a layer like candy. Its like sleeping with candy in your mouth, says Dr. Karina Irusa, a research author. This glue layer combined with sweeteners and fragrances creates a favorable environment for tooth decay bacteria to grow.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, is only preliminary and has not shown that vaping directly causes tooth decay. However, this result makes experts concerned, especially when e-cigarettes are popular among young people. In the US, it is estimated that there are about 2.5 million adolescents using it.
Injuries caused by e-cigarettes appearing in unusual locations
In patients at high risk of oral diseases, e-cigarette users are significantly more likely to develop tooth decay than non-smokers.
Damages often appear in unusual locations, such as the front toothpick - which is easy to clean.
Previous studies have shown that vaping can quickly change the microbiome in the mouth, similar to the effects of traditional smoking for many years.
Experts warn that because many teenagers smoke e-cigarettes continuously, even waking up in the middle of the night to use them, the risk of long-term oral damage is very worrying. Some dentalists recommend that users may need stronger precautions, such as toothpaste or oral fluid containing fluoride as prescribed.
Bacteria are always looking for food, explains Purnima Kumar, University of Michigan. You can smoke an e-cigarette today, but the bacteria in your mouth continue to eat from there for the next 10 hours.
