A new study highlights the dangers of vaping on oral health, especially among young people: e-cigarettes cause chemical reactions in the mouth that can destroy good bacteria.
- Vaping causes a chemical reaction in the mouth that destroys the good bacteria present.
- This promotes the occurrence of cavities, gum disease. It can also cause cellular changes that can lead to cancer.
- Further research is needed to confirm the finding.
France has more than 3 million vapers, according to an estimate by xerfi. While e-cigarettes are gaining in popularity every year, their impact on health still raises questions. A new study brings a new argument to its detractors: vaping creates chemical reactions that can destroy the good bacteria in the mouth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease, and even cancer.
Vaping destroys the microbiota oral
While studying the effects of vaping, Professor Claudia Andlof the Burnett School of biomedical Sciences, found that the high heat and chemicals in e-cigarette ingredients disrupt the oral microbiota, including destroying good bacteria that protect against dental disease. These chemical reactions can therefore promote the appearance of cavities and gum disease, jeopardizing the oral health of vapers.
“In our research, we focused on a specific bacterium, Streptococcus mutans commonly associated with dental caries. Next, we looked at how e-cigarette vaping affects this and other environmental bacteria common in the mouth.”explained the expert in a communicated. “It turns out that the antimicrobial effect of e-cigarette liquid creates an environment where healthy bacteria find it difficult to grow, but bad bacteria are unaffected and have more room to take over.”
Faced with this phenomenon, cavities can then be more frequent. However, this dental disorder is likely to lead to inflammation. This causes the retraction of the gums and the loosening of the teeth, going as far as their loss.
Research also shows that vaping suppresses signaling that activates the immune system, allowing the bacteria to thrive. “When there is no signal saying ‘Hey, go kill the bad guy’, staphylococcus can colonize the oral cavity, leading to long-term inflammation and this inflammation is associated with cancer,” she added.
Vaping : a carcinogenic potential to be studied
Thus, the research team wonders about the effect of vaping on the risk of developing oral cancer. The chemicals in e-cigarettes could encourage cells in the mouth to acquire characteristics that increase their likelihood of becoming cancerous. This hypothesis is the subject of further studies and will need to be confirmed by further research. However, if true, this would strengthen further the risks associated with vaping on oral health.
“I hope this will raise awareness that vaping is harmful and carries a risk”notice the teacher Andl. “Especially for middle and high school students who still have a long life to develop cancer. They should understand the risks they are taking now.”