Vaping With Braces – Understanding The Risks

Last Updated on July 4, 2023 by Gio Greenard

As an orthodontist, I know that some of my patients might wonder about vaping while having braces. Vaping will not harm the glue for your brackets or wires, but it’s still bad for your health.

Also, vaping can hide gum disease that you might get from wearing braces. The brackets and wires can make it harder to clean your teeth and gums well, which can cause oral health problems.

To keep your mouth healthy while vaping with braces, you need to take good care of your teeth at home. Brush and floss often, and use tools like interdental brushes or water flossers to reach tricky spots. You should also visit your dentist or orthodontist every six months for a cleaning and a checkup for gum disease.

So, you can vape with braces, but you should know the risks and do things to protect your oral health. By following good oral hygiene habits and getting professional help when needed, you can vape without hurting your well-being.

What Is Vaping?

When you smoke a traditional cigarette, you are inhaling smoke into your body and lungs, which is the primary reason that many long-term smokers suffer from such health issues, even cancer and substantial tooth decay. The best aspect of using a vape product is that it allows you to inhale vapors of the substances contained within, which means that you don’t inhale any form of smoke. When you begin to use e-cigarettes, the liquid substances inside will be heated at a high temperature to produce vapors. The liquid that’s held inside the e-cigarette is known as aerosol and is comprised of nicotine as well as a range of additional substances.

How Vaping Affects Your Oral Health

While e-cigarettes are certainly not nearly as harmful to a person’s oral health as traditional cigarettes, they definitely don’t help. If you have vaped for a long time and are doing so on a consistent basis, there are range of oral health issues that you should be on the lookout for. The majority of e-cigarettes will contain a small amount of nicotine, which is what most of the issues stem from. While it’s possible to obtain nicotine-free e-cigarettes, these are relatively uncommon and can still cause oral health problems.

The nicotine that’s found in e-cigarettes reduces how well your blood flows throughout your body, which means that it’s more difficult for your mouth to guard against the buildup of bacteria. This is likely the most common vape teeth effect that a person can suffer from when using this product. When bacteria build up on a tooth, cavities can form, and tooth decay can begin to occur. More severe gum infections can also develop because of the reduction in blood flow, the most serious of which is periodontal disease. While the nicotine found in the e-cigarette causes the worst oral health issues, the vapors can also do damaged to your mouth. These vapors can release certain proteins that increase the amount of inflammation in your gums while also worsening the strength and overall quality of your teeth.

Symptoms of Dental Issues Caused by Vaping

When you’ve been using e-cigarettes on a regular basis, you may start to notice some symptoms that point towards underlying dental issues. These oral health complications become more likely the longer you vape. Halitosis is a common condition for people who vape, which refers to bad breath. It’s also possible that your teeth will start to become wobbly or that you could lose one or more of them altogether. The gum tissue may also begin to recede, which can lead to a wide range of additional oral health problems.

You’ll be able to determine whether or not your vaping is causing dental issues if your gums start to become irritated and bleed. At times, your gums may also start to swell. If you’ve been brushing and flossing regularly, it’s likely that your usage of e-cigarettes is the cause of these oral health problems. Keep in mind that most of these symptoms can worsen if left untreated and may lead to much more problematic conditions, which is why it’s essential that you have them treated immediately and that you reduce the amount of time that you vape or cease doing so altogether. If you want your oral health to remain strong, it’s important that you receive regular checkups and consider orthodontic treatments for more severe dental issues.

FAQ’s

If you’re considering vaping with braces, you likely have a lot of questions about how it will affect your treatment and your oral health. To help you make an informed decision, we’ve put together a list of frequently asked questions about vaping with braces.

1. Can I vape with braces?

Yes, you can vape with braces. However, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect your oral health.

2. Will vaping damage my braces?

Vaping will not damage the bonding for your brackets or wires. However, vaping can mask underlying periodontal disease, which you may be at risk for simply by wearing braces. Additionally, the liquid in some e-cigarettes can be acidic, which can contribute to enamel erosion and other oral health issues.

3. How can I keep my braces clean while vaping?

To keep your braces clean while vaping, it’s important to brush and floss regularly. Consider using interdental brushes or water flossers to clean hard-to-reach areas. You may also want to use a fluoride mouthwash to help protect your teeth and gums.

4. Can I still get my teeth cleaned while vaping?

Yes, it’s important to continue getting your teeth cleaned every six months while vaping with braces. Regular cleanings can help remove any buildup and check for signs of periodontal disease.

5. What types of e-liquids should I use when vaping with braces?

It’s best to choose e-liquids that are low in acidity and sugar. Look for brands that use natural flavorings and avoid those that contain artificial sweeteners or colors.

6. Should I avoid vaping altogether while wearing braces?

While you can vape with braces, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks and take steps to protect your oral health. If you’re concerned about the impact of vaping on your treatment, you may want to consider avoiding it altogether. Talk to your orthodontist about your concerns and they can help you make an informed decision.

Conclusion

If you want to vape and have done so for many months or years, the best way to reduce the adverse effects of using e-cigarettes is by having your mouth cleaned regularly. If you’ve recently noticed some of the aforementioned symptoms, don’t wait until a set period of time has passed before you schedule a cleaning. By waiting, your oral health could deteriorate and cause the development of much more costly problems. Make sure that you brush at least twice every day and floss once per day. Any toothpaste or mouthwash that you use should contain fluoride, which will help you maintain the strength of your tooth enamel.

Dr Patricia Panucci

Dr Patti Panucci attended the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for four years, where she graduated with a DMD degree (May 2000) among the Top 10 in her class. Following that, she headed west to Los Angeles to complete her three-year residency at one of the top-ranked orthodontic programs in the country – the University of Southern California.

Along with her certificate in orthodontics, Dr. Panucci earned a master’s degree in craniofacial biology. During those three years, she fell in love with Southern California beach life and decided that this was where her future lay.