Dental/Gums

[seminolewind]

I went to a dentist for a bad tooth. He took xrays, and claimed I had gum disease because my gums were red and bled easily, also the gum line was receding. He said he wouldn't do anything till I saw a periodontist and got treatment. My gums have always receeded here and there because of brushing too hard. It's nothing new to me.

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

 

[four2109]

Let us know what you find out. I have an appointment on the 15th. I started right after my last cleaning, so I'm looking forward to this one. The cleaning should be a breeze, but I wonder about the gum issues too.

 

[MaxUT]

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

The explanation I read was, the gums were bleeding more easily because the blood flow to them is greater than before, because you aren't taking in as much nicotine (which narrows blood vessels).

Another possibility: if you vape frequently, the increased time your mouth is under low pressure (due to the suction created) will draw out more blood.

Better circulation will also make the gums a deeper color.

 

[RsL]

My question is that can red irritated gums that bleed easily be caused by vaping, and not be gum disease? I know they bleed more easily since vaping. But can this be an error?

I'm not a dentist, but I work for a Dental Insurance company, so hopefully I've learned something in my job. Anyway, gum disease is gum disease, regardless of what causes it. If anything, smoking should be harder on your gums and teeth than vaping. It could be that you have better blood circulation now, but that in itself will not cause bleeding gums and gum disease. Just see the periodontist and get it taken care of.

 

[steel23]

Hi everyone. I am a dentist. I do also vape. I frequent this board because I am interested in following how vaping affects the oral cavity.

That fact that your dentist refuses to treat your complaint until you get seen by a specialist says a lot about the progression of that condition.

Two questions:
1) Do YOU notice that the increased bleeding is confined to that one tooth or all of your teeth?
2) Is your dentist referring you to a specialist for a condition of generalized gum disease or is it localized to the area around your bad tooth? A common reason is because your entire mouth is at the point where it needs intervention. Another is that your one bad tooth has become diseased to the point where it can no longer be restored without a specialist treating the surrounding tissue/bone first.
There are other reasons but these two points make a big difference so lets start here.

 

[YoMike]

I had gum disease spent a ton of money over 12 years.
I cured it had them all pulled, now I have dentures and I'm very happy!

 

[src97]

red irritated gums that bleed upon probing is gingivitis.

gum disease or more appropriately, periodontal disease, is characterized by a loss of bone height (he may have told you you have deep pockets). Now if he discussed bone loss with you (or deep pockets), that is something that has zero to do with vaping. and it certainly is something you should see the periodontist for. be ready to pay a good deal of money. but if you do not want to lose your teeth down the line, there isnt much more you can do.

good luck!

 

[seminolewind]

Hi everyone. I am a dentist. I do also vape. I frequent this board because I am interested in following how vaping affects the oral cavity.

That fact that your dentist refuses to treat your complaint until you get seen by a specialist says a lot about the progression of that condition.

Two questions:
1) Do YOU notice that the increased bleeding is confined to that one tooth or all of your teeth?
2) Is your dentist referring you to a specialist for a condition of generalized gum disease or is it localized to the area around your bad tooth? A common reason is because your entire mouth is at the point where it needs intervention. Another is that your one bad tooth has become diseased to the point where it can no longer be restored without a specialist treating the surrounding tissue/bone first.
There are other reasons but these two points make a big difference so lets start here.

1. I've always had sensitive teeth and I've often had bleeding after flossing, it's just more often now. The bleeding is usually around the canines on the top. There is no bleeding around the bad tooth. But the tooth has an abcess, and it is getting darker. (just yank it out!).
2. The area of the bad tooth seems red and swollen, but I'm not seeing it anywhere else.

I'm 50, maybe this is the beginning of where one starts to fall apart, LOL. I will be seeing a perio. hopefully this week. I'm probably in denial.

Money? Ha. My husband retired in January, so there went the dental plan. I'll have to take out a loan I guess.

I have always taken good care of my teeth. But I'll admit that I have been slacking the last year or two.

 

[steel23]

Hi Seminolewind,

What you are describing sounds like a necrotic tooth causing an abcess with a severe amount of destruction on the crown or surrounding bone (hence the referral).

Conditions like that have often been brewing for a long time prior to any severe discomfort felt. So, that's a dental problem unrelated to vaping.

The bleeding around the rest of your mouth can easily be caused by you slacking on your hygiene for "the last year or two". Again, highly unlikely to be from vaping.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out well.

 

[June]

I was told by my dentist that smoking toughens your gums. So, if you stop smoking and start vaping, would your gums become less tough and more sensitive?

 

[vapomike]

I know I had a tooth ache before I started vaping. Like it would hurt like crazy until I brushed and rinsed with listerine in the morning. Then I started vaping and haven't had the pains since, though I don't know if it is coincidence or not. Though I'm not starting back those nasty analogs just too find out.

 

[steel23]

I was told by my dentist that smoking toughens your gums. So, if you stop smoking and start vaping, would your gums become less tough and more sensitive?

Smoking does NOT toughen your gums in a good way. What it does is pump them full of toxins and suppress microcirculation. This has the effect of MASKING the usual disease markers such as bleeding. Cessation of smoking restores the normal vascular response and so smokers will often begin experiencing more bleeding than usual to normal stimuli like brushing shortly after they quit. This is a normal phenomenon.

Seminolewind, if you recently quit smoking, this could also contribute to your bleeding away from your abcess site.

 

[seminolewind]

Hi Seminolewind,

What you are describing sounds like a necrotic tooth causing an abcess with a severe amount of destruction on the crown or surrounding bone (hence the referral).

Conditions like that have often been brewing for a long time prior to any severe discomfort felt. So, that's a dental problem unrelated to vaping.

The bleeding around the rest of your mouth can easily be caused by you slacking on your hygiene for "the last year or two". Again, highly unlikely to be from vaping.

Good luck and I hope everything turns out well.

Yes it is a dying tooth. I saw the abcess on xray. I don't think my problem is related to poor hygiene as much as stupidly going to bed at night and reading and eating candy. Sheesh, my secret's out.

However, my original question was if my gums could be red or irritated by vaping. I strongly doubt that vaping caused periodontal disease. I'll let you know what the perio says. Hopefully I can get an appt. this week. Thanks for your input!

 

[seminolewind]

I think my questions probably have more to do with being afraid of being taken. New dentist, recommended this periodontist. But my parents like him and my mom had work done by the perio, so I guess it's okay.

 

[steel23]

I still doubt that what you are describing was caused by vaping. Sounds like you have have other issues and that vaping is coincidental.

And btw, I'd not worry about being taken. Your referring doc gets no benefit for sending you away from his office and to a specialist's due to concern. Please do update with the perio's diagnosis. Take care!

 

[seminolewind]

I made an appt for tomorrow, but can't keep it, so I am probably going Monday. So far, everyone likes him.
Has anyone heard about periodontal work with laser? I see it's the new thing.

 

[nubee]

Gum disease is caused by a bacterial source that can grow and take hold in your mouth for a variety of reasons - poor dental care, genes, mouth acidity, etc - much like the bacteria that cause cavities.

What you have described are the symptoms of the disease and indicate the problem already exisits.

The main damage from analogs to your mouth, teeth, gums comes from the exposure to very high and prolonged heat you generate smoking an analog - along with all those 4000+ chemicals mixed in.

PG vapor can also irratate the soft mouth tissue further adding to the effect.

The treatment is to go in and totally clean all the living spaces for the bacteria and then continue to prevent them from returning.

Eventually, gum and bone tissue will begin to regrow and replace what was lost but never back to 100%

Me? No gum disease but the wife's a hygienist. I got a "mouthful" of lecture about my analog habit EVERY visit

As for vaping, the denist even wanted to know about it and my last check up saw a significant change for the better in my overall tissue. I think he's wondering if it'll put him out of business.

 

[rfun6]

A dentist told my dad to use Vince. Its a pink powder you brush your teeth with. Can't always find it in the store. Have to ask them to order it for you. It worked for him.

 

[seminolewind]

I think alot has to do with the fact that I sleep with my mouth open, I am on some meds for 8 years that cause dry mouth, etc. I've heard that dry mouth is not a good thing cause you have little saliva that neutralizes some bacteria. Vaping, too, can cause dry mouth, but I haven't vaped long enough (6 months) for that to contribute to the long term damage that was there. (I am not a dentist)

 

[jwalsh14]

I realize this thread is mostly talking about gums but I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with dental work such as bridges. I have been vaping for about two weeks and my bridge suddenly fell out. I would especially like to hear from the dentists.

Thanks.