Can the Dentist Tell if You Vape?
You sit back in the dentist’s chair, they take one look inside your mouth, and suddenly you’re wondering—can they tell I vape?
Whether you’re a casual vaper or a daily cloud chaser, your dentist may notice signs that point to your habit. While vaping doesn’t stain teeth like smoking, it can still affect your gums, saliva production, and overall oral health—all things a trained professional is likely to pick up on.
So, what exactly do dentists look for? And is vaping as bad for your teeth as smoking? In this article, we’ll break down how vaping affects oral health, what your dentist might notice, and what you can do to keep your teeth and gums in top shape.
Let's get straight to it.
Key takeaways:
-
Dental check-ups are vital for oral health, but they become even more important if you smoke or vape.
-
Despite some hype in the media, vaping is much better for your oral health than smoking. Tobacco products are proven to increase the risks of oral cancer, but there's no conclusive linking vaping to cancer.
-
You can take care of your teeth and gums by practising proper oral hygiene and seeking advice from dental professionals.
Why can dentists always tell if you smoke?
If you're a current or former smoker, you'll know there's no getting away from your dentist. Sure, you can lie, but they'll always be able to tell. Here's why:
-
Tooth Discolouration: Nicotine can cause yellow or brown stains on the teeth, but tar is also a common culprit. So, when your dentist performs an oral examination, they'll immediately be able to tell if you smoke.
-
Bad Breath: Smoking also causes bad breath, and the chemicals leave a lasting smell. Even if you use mints and mouthwash regularly, smoking can still cause bad breath.
-
Gum Disease: Studies show that smoking increases the chances of gum disease and weakens the immune system (Bupa). When your immunity is low, blood flow to the gums is reduced, making it harder for them to fight off infections.
How about vaping?
When it comes to oral health, vaping is much better for you than smoking. Numerous studies have shown that vaping is 95% safer than tobacco, and switching to e-cigarettes is a positive decision for your overall health and wellbeing.
If you're wondering whether a dentist can tell if you vape, the answer is maybe. While there are no tests that provide conclusive proof, your dentist might look for some tell-tale signs.
Discolouration of teeth and tongue
E-cigarette vapour can stain teeth and tongue. Over time, these stains can become more pronounced and difficult to remove.
How can e-cigarettes damage your teeth when they don't contain the same chemicals and tobacco found in cigarettes?
Well, if your e-liquid contains nicotine, even though you're ingesting it in a much safer way than smoking, the nicotine can still damage your teeth and gums.
That's because nicotine constricts blood vessels, which can result in poor circulation. This, in turn, can lead to decreased blood flow to the gums. So, the gum tissue can become inflamed and even infected, which might lead to tooth decay, periodontal disease, and eventual tooth loss.
Plus, when nicotine mixes with saliva, it can stain your teeth yellow.
Dry mouth
Vaping can lead to xerostomia, also known as dry mouth. Vape juices contain propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin, which absorb moisture from the oral cavity, resulting in a dry mouth.
Saliva is integral to oral health, as it washes food away and neutralises acids, so when you have less saliva production, there's a risk of cavities and gum disease. Some people might also experience hoarse voices and canker sores.
Bad breath
Vaping can cause bad breath—not the stinky breath caused by smoking cigarettes, but rather as a result of oral health problems. The main reason for this is a dryer mouth and potential bacterial growth.
While vape breath is nothing compared to smoker's breath, it can result in a lingering taste in your mouth, which the dentist might notice.
Should I tell my dentist I vape?
Ask most dentists, and they'll tell you that they'd rather you were vaping than smoking. While vaping habits can have some effects on your oral health, it's still a much safer alternative to smoking.
It's always a good idea to tell your dentist if you vape, and they'll usually notice it anyway. Being honest with your dentist means they can accurately assess your oral health and determine whether you require treatment.
It's important to remember that dentists are specialists in maintaining oral health, and they can give you tips on keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Smoking versus vaping: Which is worse for your oral health?
It will probably come as no surprise when we say that smoking is bad for your teeth and increases the risks of gum disease. While vaping isn't completely risk-free, specialists agree that it's a much healthier choice.
Let's explore the potential impacts of both smoking and vaping habits.
Smoking can cause severe gum disease
Smoking carries high oral health risks due to its tendency to reduce blood flow. This weakens one's ability to fight infections and heal correctly. The result? Periodontitis and potential gum disease, both of which can cause tooth loss.
Nicotine can cause gum inflammation and impact blood flow, which means that vaping does carry some oral health risks. However, if you use nicotine-free vape juices, the risks of gum disease are lower.
Bad breath and tooth staining
As we've already said, both smoking and vaping can cause bad breath, but vaping has fewer effects. In terms of tooth staining, smoking can cause yellowing due to its chemicals, tar, and nicotine.
Vaping, on the other hand, is less likely to cause staining, especially if the e-liquids don't contain nicotine.
Immunity
When a smoker has a dental procedure, they're more likely to experience a delayed healing process, which is due to the chemicals found in tobacco products. For example, if a smoker has a gum treatment or tooth extraction, they'll take more time to heal than a non-smoker.
Vaping products don't have the same level of chemicals, so while there might be a slightly longer healing time, it's usually much shorter than smoking.
Oral cancer
Tobacco smoke has carcinogenic chemicals that increase the likelihood of developing oral cancer - there's no getting around that. Research from the Oral Cancer Foundation confirms that more cases are caused by smoking than excessive alcohol use.
As of now, there are no conclusive studies that link vaping to oral cancer, despite what the media might say (Cancer Research).
What can you do to maintain good oral health if you vape?
So, if you vape and you're worried about your mouth, there are some simple things you can do to enjoy vaping without it impacting your oral health:
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is always beneficial, and it will prevent your mouth from getting dry. Increasing your fluid intake while vaping is less likely to cause the risks associated with decreased saliva production and can prevent bad breath.
Chew sugar-free gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, which in turn can help counteract any drying effects caused by vaping. Saliva also contains natural antibacterial properties, which can help keep your mouth healthy and free from nasty plaque bacteria.
Use a fluoride mouthwash
Fluoride is a mineral that helps remineralise teeth, making them stronger and more resistant to decay. Gargling with a fluoride mouthwash after vaping can help strengthen tooth enamel, prevent cavities, and freshen your breath.
Limit sugary snacks and drinks
If you want to protect your teeth, cut down on sugary snacks and drinks, as these can increase the risk of cavities. In fact, limiting your intake of these is good for your general health, even if you don't smoke or vape.
Regular dental check-ups
Regular dental check-ups are important for everyone, but they're especially important if you're a vaper. Your dentist can help identify any potential oral health problems early on. Poor dental health can gradually get worse over time, but your dentist will tell you how to practice good oral hygiene.
Quit smoking
If you haven't already, quit smoking traditional cigarettes and switch to vaping. Vaping is much healthier than smoking, and it's less likely to cause long-term health issues. While there are some oral health risks associated with vaping, it's less risky than smoking.
Whether you choose a starter vape pen or a pod kit, you can enjoy a healthier - and cheaper - lifestyle when you ditch cigarettes in favour of vaping.
Shop 88Vape for E-Liquids & Vaping Products You Can Trust
For high-quality vaping products at an affordable price (that don't impact your oral health), look no further than 88Vape.
Our e-liquids and vaping products are trusted by customers all over the UK, and with free delivery on orders over £15, there's never been a better time to try us out.
So why compromise on quality (and potentially damage your teeth) when you can have the best of both worlds? Shop 88Vape today and experience vaping the way it was meant to be.