As more research about vaping emerges, it’s becoming clear that the habit no longer offers the safer alternative to cigarette smoking as e-cigarette manufacturers maintain. In fact, at our Santa Fe dental office, we would counsel our patients to think of vaping and smoking as equally bad for their health. In addition to vaping causing users to inhale toxic metals, a new study now suggests that if you vape, you may be seriously jeopardizing your bone health.

Vaping a Dangerous Habit

While the number of Americans who smoke has continued to decline in recent years, vaping as a habit has increased in popularity largely due to the product’s marketing pitch as a safe alternative to traditional cigarettes.

However, in 2019 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hit the e-cigarette manufacturer Juul hard for making these erroneous claims. The agency questioned Juul for its practice of marketing their product as “modified risk tobacco products” since, as the science now clearly shows, it’s a controversial claim that’s not backed up by any solid research.

In reality, numerous studies actually indicate that the opposite is true. While vaping may not have the types of direct cause and effect relationship with cancer as smoking, the habit is no less dangerous to a user’s health.

Data now suggests a connection exists between vaping and a variety of health risks that include:

·  An increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

·  An increased risk of heart problems, according to a study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.

·  A potentially higher risk for cancer due to the toxic chemicals used in vape pens, as reported by the American Lung Association.

Based on this research, it’s clear why we recommend avoiding vaping to patients at our Santa Fe dental office.

How Does Vaping Impact Bone Health?

Traditional cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for the development of osteoporosis, a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of a fracture, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In a recent study, published in the American Journal of Medicine Open, a team of researchers examined over 5,500 adults who vaped to determine whether the habit posed a similar risk. Their findings suggest that vaping “may be detrimental to bone health,” even in young adults. The study determined that individuals who vaped had a 46 percent higher risk of experiencing a bone fracture when compared to those who did not use e-cigarettes.

The research team also discovered that individuals who both smoke and vape actually have a higher risk of experiencing a fracture when compared to those who just smoke.

Vaping Undermines Your Oral Health

When bones weaken, it’s more than just breaking an arm or a leg you have to worry about. Your jawbone works as the underlying foundation on which your oral health is built. When bone loss occurs in the jaw, your teeth may start to loosen and eventually fall out.

As a habit, vaping not only attacks the foundation of your oral health, the harsh chemicals used in vaping liquids also destroys the soft tissue in the mouth. This combines to make vaping a serious challenge to your oral health. Not only does the habit weaken and destroy gum tissue, it also does the same to the jaw. This could lead to permanent tooth loss, troubling eating, or persistent oral pain.

For patients who thought vaping offered a safer solution, don’t be fooled by the marketing. The habit can do some serious damage, not only to your smile, but your body as well.

If you have any questions about the risks associated with vaping, make sure to ask for more information during your next visit to our Santa Fe dental office.