Written by Diane Castillo on March 6, 2023

The Smoking Alternative: Does Vape Smoke Stain Teeth?

You probably have heard about the dangers of smoking. Smoking cigarettes can lead to cancer, stroke, heart disease, lung disease, etc. Moreover, this bad habit is directly related to a host of dental risks like bad breath, tooth discoloration, gum disease, oral cancer, and more. Therefore, some smokers have used electronic cigarettes (or vapes) to consume tobacco. Vaping is a form of e-cigarette that was first introduced as a safe and helpful way for smokers to quit their nicotine habit. However, many questions are being raised about its safety. Does vape smoke stain teeth? It has become clear that vaping harms oral health and is also probably linked to severe heart and respiratory problems.

The Fame of E-cigarettes

An e-cigarette is an electronic device that heats a liquid solution to a high temperature to create an aerosol that you inhale. These solutions often contain nicotine, flavoring, and a humectant (like propylene glycol).

According to the CDC, some harmful ingredients often found in e-cigarette aerosol include:

Nicotine
Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
Flavorings like diacetyl, a chemical linked to a severe lung disease
Volatile organic compounds
Cancer-causing chemicals
Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead

What Is Vaping?

Vaping is the act of inhaling and exhaling vapor released by a vaping device. Many devices produce these vapors, including vapes, electronic cigarettes, and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The latest vaping devices resemble smartwatches, hoodies, or other similar items.

A vape device consists of a battery, mouthpiece, heating component, and cartridge for the e-liquid. When a vape is smoked, the battery fuels the heating component, turning the e-liquid into an aerosol. This vapor is then inhaled and exhaled. The liquid is composed of flavors, chemicals, and sometimes nicotine. The toxic chemicals of the liquid are increasingly believed to cause respiratory and cardiac problems.

Oral Health Effects of Vaping

Vaping can pose many threats to your oral health. These include:

Dry mouth and excess bacteria
Gum disease
Cavities & inflamed gums
Mouth sores & irritation
Thickened saliva
Bruxism
Receding gums
Irritated, red, or bleeding gums
Chronic bad breath or halitosis
Swollen or tender gums

Does Vaping Stain Teeth?

Advertisers promote vaping to be a healthier alternative to smoking cigarettes or marijuana. And there are still benefits connected to vaping. Luckily, one of the positive factors about vaping is that it does not stain teeth or cause bad breath.

Vaping does not contain tar, which leads to brown and yellow teeth stains. The tar is continually absorbed through the enamel of the teeth, slowly turning white teeth into discolored teeth. Vaping does not create smoke, so there is no worry about tar staining. On the other hand, smoking cigarettes lead to yellowed and discolored teeth.

If some dentists from ADC Campbelltown Dental Care warn you about vapes staining your teeth, it is because of the ingredients and flavors of the juice you are using. Just like when you drink grape juice or red wine, your teeth can be stained by the coloring agents found in vapes. Your body has sponge-like features that absorb certain chemicals or substances. When the coloring agents pass through your mouth, your teeth’ enamel comes into contact with potential stains. Vaping in colors of blue, green, yellow, or pink may look cool to you, but if you continue to use those coloring agents, there’s potential to stain your teeth those colors. Moreover, brown nicotine particles from e-liquids are absorbed quickly by your naturally porous teeth, resulting in yellow teeth.

Can Chemicals in Vapes Cause Oral Cancer?

While it’s not proven that chemicals in vapes can cause oral cancer, research has shown that some of the substances found in these devices could lead to serious health complications in users. Recent studies have suggested that chemicals such as nicotine, propylene glycol, vegetable glycerin, and formaldehyde may be linked to an increased risk of developing oral cancer. Nicotine is known to be a carcinogen and could potentially contribute to a higher risk of oral cancer when inhaled through vaping. Likewise, several other chemicals found in e-cigarettes have been linked to adverse health effects, including formaldehyde which has been classified as a carcinogen by the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Other negative effects of vaping

There are several reasons why dentists do not encourage vaping. Here are four of the main ones.

Dry Mouth

One of the most common side effects of vaping is a dry mouth. For example, some humectants in e-cigarettes, like propylene glycol, can cause mouth dryness. Mouth dryness can produce bad breath and mouth sores and even cause tooth decay.

Gum Disease

Some e-cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a dangerous and addictive chemical. The American Heart Association states that nicotine, whether it is vaped or smoked, restricts blood flow to the gums and, therefore, causes an increased risk of gum disease. Common ingredients like propylene glycol, benzene, and formaldehyde only heighten this grave risk.

Bacterial Changes

While you probably associate sugary candies and acidic drinks with tooth problems, did you know that vaping can create excess bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease? According to this 2018 study, the aerosol from e-cigarettes caused a four-fold increase in microbial (bacterial) adhesion to tooth enamel, especially in the pits and crevices of the teeth. Since many e-cigarette flavorings are sweet, their aerosols also have comparable physical and chemical properties to high-sucrose, gelatinous candies and acidic drinks.

Recommended Oral Health Practices for Vapers

Vaping is becoming increasingly popular, but it can risk oral health if not done properly or with caution. Here are some tips on how to keep your teeth healthy while vaping:

Drink water. A hydrated mouth will keep your mouth from becoming dry and help you maintain your dental health.

Gargle. Rinse your mouth with fresh water after each vape session to reduce bacteria buildup in the mouth.

Lessen sweet ‘juice.’ Avoid vaping sugary liquids as they can increase your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.

Maintain oral hygiene practices. Brushing and flossing twice a day can be a positive step in minimizing your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disorders.

Avoid nicotine juice. Quit smoking altogether, as nicotine has been linked to an increased risk of periodontal disease, even when vaped instead of smoked through traditional cigarettes or cigars.

See your dentist. Regular visits to your dentists once every six months will help ensure your oral health is in peak condition. As a precautionary measure, undergo screening for oral cancer to check for lesions or inflammation on your tongue, gums, or other areas in your mouth.

If you still wonder whether vaping makes your teeth yellow, the answer is probably yes. Even though it is less harmful than smoking, vaping will stain your teeth over time. It may be a good aid to quitting smoking, but we wouldn’t recommend using e-cigarettes or vapors for long because of how harmful they can be to your teeth and oral health. However, if you still need a vaporizer, consider not using any flavors, as they are more damaging to your teeth.