Electronic cigarettes, or e-cigs, are marketed as the healthier alternative to cigarettes. There are certainly many aspects that are indeed healthier for both the person smoking and the people around them, but are they as deter mental to your oral hygiene?
The short answer?
Yes.
As always, it is more complicated than that! But e-cigarettes still pose many of the same risks to your oral hygiene, and when making a choice affecting your health, it is important to do your research and decide for yourself. E-cigs still contain nicotine. Nicotine restricts blood-flow, which impacts many aspects of your health, including your body’s ability to fight diseases. This includes gum disease. The use of nicotine increases your chance of periodontal disease. In addition, the cigarettes still contain many harmful chemicals that you may want to think twice about before ingesting them on a daily basis.
If you are a traditional smoker, e-cigs could provide a stepping stone toward quitting. Talk with your doctor about whether this is a good option for you. However, the important takeaway is this: e-cigarettes still have many health risks associated with them, and do still contain nicotine, which is highly addictive. If you are not already a smoker, don’t get sucked in because these are marketed as healthier!
