Tooth Decay

[BlueSun]

I went to the dentist yesterday, and he discovered that I had a small cavity on one of my molars. And I was only last at the dentist two months ago, about a month before I took up vaping. The last time I had a cavity was when I was a kid twenty eight years ago. I've always taken great care of my dental hygiene by brushing after every meal, aggressively flossing and using a non-alcohol based mouthwash.

Since starting vaping, I've noticed that my mouth gets extremely dry as a result of the propylene glycol. Our teeth need salivia production to fend off tooth decay, but if we're puffing on our e-cigs for hours on end, we're putting ourselves at a heightened risk of developing cavities.

This has been said before, but it's worth mentioning again. It seems that we should be drinking a lot of water while vaping, or if you can't do that, chewing gum, in order to stimulate the generation of saliva. I still find that I have "cotton mouth" well after I've stopping vaping, even though I've been consuming water. This does not bode well for dental hygiene. I'm going to start chewing gum to see if that helps.

Has anybody else noticed an increase in cavities since vaping? Have you shown your e-cig to your dentist?

 

[Kate51]

Have not been to a dentist, but do agree PG does leave dry mouth. VG not as drying, but seems to leave a "coat". So I find myself brushing more. Good point to make BlueSun, I'm sure most of us do not drink enough water to be sure. I'm a coffee drinker also, so always have to remind myself, H2O!!!

 

[BlueSun]

I decided not to use my e-cig today (I'm using zero nic) to see if my saliva production would increase, and what a big difference it has made. The "cotton mouth" feeling is definitely going away. I have been using my e-cig for about two hours a day, so I think I'm going to cut way back. It's just that new toy syndrome, I can't seem to leave it alone.

I read that analogue smokers have three times as many cavities as non-smokers because of xerostomia (dry mouth.) An excessive case can lead to a rapid decline in dental health, which is why I'm wondering if my new cavity is a result of the PG. I don't recall my mouth ever being as dry when smoking my cigars and cigarillos as it is when vaping.

Everything enjoyable must have its downside. Have to go get my filling this week.

 

[wv2win]

You should probably stop vaping.

 

[shivadance]

You should probably stop vaping.

8-o Where's me pliers? Gots to pull me pesky cavity-prone vapers teeth before it gets out of control.

Plus side, no more bite marks on me carts.

 

[SueandCootie]

I developed some years ago thyroid problems and at the same time my mouth and eyes became dry..perfect teeth suddenly at age 35 began to fall apart, and now that I've started vaping it seems to be getting even worse at a much faster rate. Drinking extra has not helped before and doesn't now...I'm pretty sure my thyroid levels have tanked as well. Going to the doc tomorrow, in fact. I enjoy vaping and gave up analogs entirely, but I wish I felt better!

 

[BlueSun]

wv2win:

I hate to say it, but you're probably right.

SueandCootie:

Sorry to hear about your teeth problems. Maybe you should talk to your doctor about using over-the-counter saliva substitutes and stimulants.

 

[Palmetto]

A cavity? Oh noes! Call out the vaping police!

 

[maryjo]

Smoking dries your mouth out also. How long did you smoke?

 

[seminolewind]

Dry mouth is not good for the teeth. Allows cavities to form

 

[BlueSun]

maryjo:

I've been an occasional cigar and cigarillo smoker for a number of years now. I thought I'd try vaping because it sounds like a much safer alternative, and there are so many more benefits. I think it's the future of "smoking," and I would be pleased to turn my smoking friends onto it.

That said, I don't know why some people have to downplay legitimate concerns, no matter how minor they may sound to them, on a forum dedicated to discussing "... any side effects, worries or health problems related to e-smoking ..." I have a worry. Dental treatment is expensive, stressful and often painful, so I simply wanted to know how other people were doing with their vaping.

I don't think I'll give it up entirely, just lay off using it so much.

"Sir, you're under arrest for asking a question on a health forum!"

 

[shivadance]

That said, I don't know why some people have to downplay legitimate concerns, no matter how minor they may sound to them, on a forum dedicated to discussing "... any side effects, worries or health problems related to e-smoking ..." I have a worry. Dental treatment is expensive, stressful and often painful, so I simply wanted to know how other people were doing with their vaping.

Sorry BlueSun, wasn't trying to downplay your issue at all. Just making a joke because wv's remark was so completely ludicris. Please don't take offense!

 

[maskgeek]

I stopped smoking for 3 months now and yesterday, I had my teeth cleaned. Now, I no longer have any nicotine stains. I wonder if I'll get glycerine stains this time.

I'm also spending US$500 to have my teeth bleached next week. I hope it is now worth it to spend that much on myself now that I no longer will have those awful nicotine stains on my teeth.

 

[TropicalBob]

Bluesun: It is a legitimate concern and we lack sufficient studies to identify side effects we might suffer from vaping. Cavities could be one, not only from dry mouth but from the killing by propylene glycol of beneficial bacteria in your mouth. It's just a possibility, but was discussed in the germ-killing vapor thread. PG instantly kills many types of bacteria -- and our bodies have good and bad types. Your mouth is a flophouse of good bacteria!

I make sure I use snus or dissolvable tobacco pieces in addition to e-smoking, and that keeps dry mouth from beginning. Chewing gum should certainly help.

And as far as cavities are concerned, note that PG breaks down to lactic acid and VG breaks down to glucose. Imagine coating your teeth all day with glucose residue, if you use a VG-based liquid. Again, we don't know enough to say for certain that cavities could result, but it sure seems possible, if not likely.

 

[dntbuyblu]

use listerine twice a day and get zinc lozenges works wonders

 

[Kate51]

TB, the "glucose residue" you speak of must be true....I have enough tooth problems, from smoking so many years, and wearing braces forever as a kid, so don't want to ask for trouble, I still have all my natural teeth. I have been using VG exclusively for a couple months, and I have noticed at definite "coat" on my teeth, so do brush more often. Haven't been able to find anything about VG that might be an alarm, but now that you said that it stands to reason there's some residue inherent with using it. Brushing seems to clear it away completely, but just don't know......would be like eating too many orange slices or Jelly Beans!! And, there's 432 calories in 100 grams of it. Can't find a conversion chart to figure that out as to how many grams/millileter of fluid. I would say pretty tiny amounts, but it is super sweet! I got some 24mg/ml nic in VG unflavored, that's not half bad without any flavoring at all. I use it with the JC Tenn Cured becasue they changed their VG to "reduced" VG, 30%PG, and boy that PG didn't like my throat too much. I could feel it. Works though to cut my JC with about a third more VG. Go figure!! Hope they go back to VG again very soon.

 

[BlueSun]

shivadance:

I cried all night long over your comment, but I am now ready to forgive you.

TropicalBob:

Thanks for your very informative post. I'm going to buck up the courage and show the 401 to my dentist today when I go in for my itty-bitty filling. Getting myself slightly inebriated right now so I can make it, because I used to avoid the dentist for years due to anxiety attacks but discovered that alcohol, albeit being another drying agent, helps take the edge off. (I'm walking there.)

Everybody else:

I think it's best to avoid alcohol-based mouthwashes before going to bed because it dries out your mouth. I've switched to alcohol-free Oral-B.

 

[BlueSun]

I just got back from the dentist, and everything went smoothly. I showed him my 401 e-cig and asked him what he thought about PG drying the mouth. Obviously, he said that he didn't recommend anything that causes dryness, and he asked me why I was using it if I wasn't a nicotine addict. Good point, I admit, but I explained that I have been a cigar smoker and find it relaxing.

So, he didn't seem to be totally against people trying to kick analogues with e-cigs, which is good news. He didn't know too much about them, though, and I brought up TropicalBob's comment about PG possibly destroying beneficial bacteria. He agreed that there's not enough research yet.

I asked him if my cavity may have been caused by the e-cig since I started using it a month ago, and he said that it'd take longer than a month for my type of cavity to form.

I didn't expect him to be blown away by it. I'm definitely going to cut back and make sure to drink water and/or chew gum during and after vaping. I will use it in moderation, like I did with my cigars. Another thing that doesn't help is that I'm on medication that already decreases saliva production.

Guess I'll see how my next visit in six months turns out.

 

[Safira]

Don't know how helpful this is but I did want to point out that people should pick up there toothpaste and read the label. One of the 1st things on a lot of major brands is Glycerine.

If you google Fluoride you can find articles that will claim the glycerine in toothpaste coat the teeth and they believe can cause more tooth decay. Some of these people also believe that your teeth can re-mineralize if you use there "natural" products so ...ah....well to each there own I guess.

I will say glycerine is sticky stuff. Rub a little on your skin and to me it feels sticky. Does this stickiness cause problems in your mouth, who knows and will we ever really know the true answer?

 

[ZIRO]

Maybe this sort of thing happens to a lot of people, but I've never gotten dry mouth from vaping, and I do it nearly all day long.