Does Vaping Stain Your Teeth?
In recent years, vaping has surged in popularity as an alternative to traditional smoking, touted as a safer option with fewer adverse effects. Yet, as the vape culture expands, so do questions regarding its impact on oral health and dental aesthetics.
Many vape users wonder if vaping can stain their teeth, just like smoking does. The answer is yes—but not in the same way.
Vaping doesn’t directly cause staining, but its juice contains various ingredients that can contribute to staining.
What Are Teeth Stains?
Stains on teeth can be broadly classified into 2 categories: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic stains appear on the tooth surface and are generally caused by environmental factors such as food (like berries and soy sauce), beverages (like coffee, tea, and red wine), and smoking. These kinds of discolouration can often be addressed with professional cleanings or over-the-counter whitening products if necessary.
Intrinsic stains occur within the tooth's structure. They are usually a side effect of developmental conditions, trauma, certain medications, aging, or prolonged exposure to environmental factors that cause discolouration from within. These kinds of stains can be more challenging to treat and may require professional whitening procedures or even veneers in severe cases.
What Is Vaping?
Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapour produced by an electronic device, called a vape or e-cigarette. The devices use a heating element to aerosolize a liquid solution called “e-juice” or “vape juice.” Vape juices often contain nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals.
How Does Vaping Stain Teeth?
Smoking traditional cigarettes is known to cause stains on teeth. When nicotine in tobacco combines with oxygen, it turns yellowish, causing a visible discolouration on the surface of teeth. This is why smokers often have yellow or brown stains on their teeth that are difficult to remove.
However, it's not the nicotine in the juice that causes staining with vaping. Instead, it is the other ingredients found in vape juice that can affect your pearly whites, including:
Propylene glycol (PG): a solvent and preservative found in e-liquids. PG has a drying effect, and when it comes into contact with your teeth, it can cause them to lose moisture and appear dry and dull. This drying out can make your teeth more susceptible to staining from other substances, such as food and drinks.
Vegetable glycerin (VG): an ingredient used to create thicker clouds of vapour. Like PG, VG also has a dehydrating effect on the mouth, which can lead to dryness and potential staining.
Artificial colours or dyes: These additives are often used to enhance the appearance of the vape juice but can leave stains behind on teeth.
Tips for Preventing Teeth Stains When Vaping
If you vape and want to be conscious of teeth staining, here are a few proactive steps you can take:
Opt for lighter-coloured e-liquids, as darker hues are more likely to stain teeth.
Maintain a solid oral hygiene routine, including brushing twice a day and flossing every day.
Stay well-hydrated to help combat the dehydrating effects of vaping.
See your dentist for regular dental check-ups and cleanings. The dentist will use these appointments to remove potential stains and assess your oral health.
A Note on Vaping in General
The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has stated that the long-term effects of vaping on oral and general health are still unknown. However, vaping may act as a gateway to regular cigarette smoking, especially for younger people. It may also increase the risk of heart disease and stroke like cigarette smoking. There has also been a correlation between vaping and acute lung disease.
There’s still a lot we don’t know about the long-term effects of vaping with nicotine. Vaping was first promoted as a safer substitute for tobacco use and as a tool to help people quit smoking, but tragic results have been observed in cases of acute lung illnesses connected to vaping in both the US and Canada.
The Next Steps
Whether you vape or not, your oral health is essential for supporting your overall health and wellness. Our team at Shine Dental is here to answer any questions about vaping and its impact on oral health. Book an appointment today to see what we can do for you and your smile.