Dentists have examined the impact of vaping on gum health.

Since nicotine is delivered into the body through aerosol rather than smoke from burning tobacco when using vapes, electronic cigarettes are often marketed as a safer alternative to traditional smoking. However, scientists have repeatedly presented data indicating that due to the chemicals found in vape liquids, this option still poses health risks, including those to the oral cavity.

Researchers have previously warned that under the influence of vapes, bacteria in the mouth quickly form a protective biofilm, accelerating the development of dental and gum diseases. Nevertheless, several other studies found no significant differences in gum health between vapers and non-smokers.

Dental specialists from Newcastle and Sheffield universities (UK) undertook to collect and analyze the existing scientific literature on the relationship between electronic cigarette use and gum health. By searching electronic databases such as PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and others, the researchers found 40 publications on this topic, of which 18 articles were included in the final review. These studies examined clinical indicators of gum health in vapers (depth of periodontal pockets, bone loss, bleeding, plaque levels, complaints, and biomarkers) compared to non-smokers, smokers of traditional cigarettes, and those who had quit the harmful habit.

The meta-analysis showed that vaping correlated with increased plaque formation and the presence of inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α), although in other indicators, such as the depth of periodontal pockets and bone loss, vapers did not significantly differ from non-smokers and former smokers. Continuous smokers of traditional cigarettes consistently exhibited worse results across all parameters.

Bleeding gums and visible inflammation among vapers were lower than in non-smokers, which British dentists attributed to the effects of nicotine, which suppresses bleeding, thereby masking periodontal diseases paradontally. Likely for the same reason, smokers of traditional cigarettes showed the lowest levels of gum bleeding.

Furthermore, several studies indicated negative changes in the microbiome of the oral cavity among vapers. For instance, there were reports of increased levels of bacteria such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, which are associated with gum diseases.

While the review overall indicated that vapes harm gums, albeit to a lesser extent than traditional cigarettes, the authors emphasized that most studies relied on self-reports from participants, and only a few confirmed smoking status biochemically. This increases the likelihood of distortions and reduces the reliability of conclusions, as many vapers had previously smoked traditional cigarettes or may have combined them with electronic ones.

In the absence of biochemical data, an independent assessment of the impact of vapes, without the overlay of the long-term consequences of smoking, appears challenging. More robust studies with additional monitoring of smoking status are needed for definitive conclusions, concluded the researchers.