Can vaping damage your smile? The short answer is probably not, but we know that smoking definitely does.
A new study has been released that states vaping can damage the cells within the mouth, causing inflammation, gum disease and DNA changes which can lead to cancer.
Irfan Rahman, a Biochemist at the University of Rochester conducted the research as part of a study on the potential harm posed by pollutants, after hearing that some people experienced a dry mouth and cough when starting vaping.
Ligament cells that attach teeth to gums were taken into a lab and exposed to vapour. This apparently caused cell inflammation and DNA damage, which could lead to cancer, gum disease and tooth loss.
The cells gave off inflammatory markers or ‘warning signals’, which are ways our body sends signals that something has been damaged. These warning signals were more prevalent when the cells were exposed to flavoured vapour rather than none flavoured.
The results of this study could be seen as worrisome. But the fact is that there have been many cellular studies done on the effects of vaping and most have since been debunked.
Cells do not react the same outside of the body in a petri dish as they do inside the body.
The fact is although we do not know absolutely, we can say with confidence that vaping is better for you than smoking. How can we say this, because what we do know is the effects that smoking has, all of the effects are negative.
What we can say is that there are over 4000 chemicals in a traditional cigarette, this deadly cocktail causes severe damage to mouth cells leading to cancer. Smokers are three times more likely to be diagnosed with mouth cancer and seven times more likely to be diagnosed with throat cancer than a non-smoker.
The study is going to be extended to the examination of cells from actual vapers.
Rahman said:
Our work is far from over, more research is needed before we know for sure what potential threats vaping poses to the mouth and gums.
So can vaping damage your smile? Has vaping or smoking damaged your smile? Let us know in the comments below.