What You Need to Know About E-Cigarettes

E-cigarettes tend to be a popular alternative to the conventional cigarette. While avoiding traditional smoke may be useful, there is still some risk to using them. Furthermore, using e-cigarettes may not be great for your overall health, but would you be surprised to learn that they can affect your oral health as well?

E-cigarettes contain the addictive drug nicotine. Although most cigarettes have a different amount of nicotine in them, please note that any amount of nicotine can damage your smile. Nicotine can reduce your blood flow, meaning your gums won’t get as much oxygen—or blood, and this can lead to a number of other complications as well.

Similarly, because nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, you may not be able to notice the symptoms of gum disease—and could also be responsible for causing your gum disease. Unfortunately, oxygen deprivation will actually prevent your teeth from bleeding or swelling. This condition could make it difficult for you to notice certain dental issues and could potentially fool your dentist as well.

Finally, your jaw is very powerful, but it can be affected by the nicotine in an e-cigarette. In fact, nicotine can even cause you to grind your teeth, which can lead to a number of complications. Furthermore, E-cigarettes can also cause dry mouth, which can create a perfect habitat for bacteria to grow and form cavities.

If you would like to learn more about e-cigarettes, we can help. Our dentist, Jackie Brown, and our team can help assess your mouth and determine your needs. To schedule an appointment with us, please call us today at 901-758-1000. We look forward to hearing from you!