Smoking cigarettes has always played a big part role in ruining your teeth. Tobacco is known to have chemicals that make teeth turn yellow. People who smoke tend to have tooth decay from an early age.
Since the late 2000s, heavy smokers sought an alternative to smoking cigarettes. This led to the ever-growing vaping industry as we know it today!
Vaping is very popular among young adults. Reports show that around 20% of adults aged 18-29 in the US vape as an alternative to smoking. [Source: cdc]
However, did you know that like smoking, vaping can also have a big impact on your teeth? The e-liquid in vapes also has chemicals that slowly make your teeth yellow. [Source: WebMD]
In reality, vaping is technically a safer alternative to smoking but it can also play a role in discoloring your teeth. So let’s talk about how and why this happens. In the process let’s also discuss ways you can prevent it for better oral health in the long run!
How Does Vaping Impact Your Teeth?
To begin, let's look at everything in a vape that has an impact on your teeth.
Vaping Ingredients and Their Role in Oral Health
Vape juice is made up of certain ingredients that affect your teeth. The main culprits are nicotine, propylene glycol, and various flavorings.
Nicotine
This is something that vapes and tobacco have in common. Smoking can cause dry mouth as it reduces saliva production. This is why doctors recommend always staying hydrated. This effect is doubled when vaping as you are taking in more smoke or vapor in comparison to cigarettes.
Saliva is essential for neutralizing acids, washing away food particles, and protecting teeth from decay. With a reduced amount being produced, your mouth becomes more acidic which leads to plaque buildup. This chain effect causes tooth discoloration as plaque can make your teeth yellow over time.
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is another ingredient used in vapes to deliver the flavors that you know and love. This also plays a part in drying out your mouth. Additionally reside can be left behind in your oral cavity. This absorbs moisture from the oral cavity making your teeth more vulnerable to turning yellow and eventually decay.
Flavorings
Although not the case for some, most vape juices come with a sweet or fruity flavor. This is usually artificially made from acids and sugars that are harmful to your teeth. These flavors are one of the biggest reasons why vaping is so popular. However, they are responsible for breaking down the enamel in your teeth. This weakens the teeth making them stain easily.
Vaping vs. Smoking: Which Is Worse for Your Teeth?
Vaping is perceived to be less harmful than smoking but in terms of oral health, they both worsen the situation inside leading to discoloration.
Cigarettes have been studied long enough to say for sure that they stain your teeth yellow and brown. The tar and nicotine in tobacco are what cause this. What happens it the smoke from cigarettes settles on the tooth surfaces leading to deep stains over time. Another thing to note is that smoking reduces blood flow to the gums. This increases the chances of developing gum disease and tooth loss.
In the case of vaping, this effect may be as bad as smoking by still plays a significant role. Vapes do not produce tar, but most vapes still have nicotine which turns teeth yellow. Additionally, vaping still leads to enamel damage and stains.
Research shows that both vapers and smokers can have higher levels of gingivitis and plaque buildup than non-smokers. [Source: NCBI]
Why Does Vaping Make Teeth Yellow?
Digging deeper into the topic, let's break down all the reasons why teeth turn yellow from vaping.
The Role of Nicotine in Tooth Discoloration
When nicotine is inhaled, it accumulates in the tooth enamel and reacts with oxygen. Although brushing helps remove this, in reality, how many times do you really brush right after vaping?
So, over time this turns yellow or brown.
As you continue vaping the process repeats itself eventually weakening the enamel and making teeth easier to stain.
Aside from this, nicotine reduces saliva production. Saliva naturally cleans the mouth. As you produce less saliva the mouth becomes dry making it easy for bacteria to build up, over time staining the teeth.
Research shows that dry mouth can also cause a chain reaction of tooth decay further turning the teeth yellow. [Source: WebMD]
Propylene Glycol’s Effect on Teeth
Propylene glycol in vape liquid speeds up tooth discoloration as this can also dry up your mouth. Similar to nicotine the flow of saliva is reduced. As propylene glycol is heated when vaping. This breaks it down into acetic acid and propionaldehyde.
These are known can damage your teeth and gums over time eventually staining them. As you continue vaping, this prolonged exposure to PG can also lead to other dental issues like gum irritation and tooth sensitivity.
Preventing Tooth Yellowing While Vaping
While there is no quick solution to yellow teeth you can take some precautionary measures to slow down the process.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
It is best to follow a good oral hygiene routine as your first line of defense against tooth discoloration from vaping. Brush at least twice a day, especially after vaping.
You can use fluoride toothpaste to strengthen enamel and reduce stains caused by nicotine and other chemicals.
Flossing daily also helps remove difficult plaque buildup between teeth where discoloration starts. For even better results, you can use an electric toothbrush for a more thorough cleaning.
Electric toothbrushes are often more effective at removing plaque and preventing stains than manual brushing. Finally, gargle with an antiseptic or fluoride-based mouthwash as a finishing touch.
Use Whitening Products
Teeth whitening products should also be a part of your daily routine. This can go a long way in restoring your teeth’s original color. You can find medicated whitening toothpaste for this.
These special toothpastes have mild abrasives or low levels of hydrogen peroxide that help polish surface stains caused by vaping. Pair this with a whitening mouthwash to complement brushing so that your teeth stay healthy and strong.
There are many over-the-counter whitening strips or gels that you can use. Whitening strips have stronger bleaching agents than toothpaste. You can see the results in a few weeks. For a more professional cleaning, you can visit a dentist.
Dentists use concentrated bleaching agents like hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. These can be very effective tackle yellow teeth and restoring the enamel on your teeth.
Regular Dental Visits
Make a habit of going to the dentist regularly. Routine dental visits can prevent and manage tooth yellowing, especially for vapers. We recommend visiting one every six months for professional cleanings.
Also, regular visits can keep you informed on your overall oral health and detect early signs of enamel wear or gum disease.
Alternatives to Vaping That Won’t Stain Teeth
Here are some alternatives to vaping that won't stain your teeth.
Nicotine-Free Vape Options
Since nicotine plays a big part in staining teeth, why not try nicotine-free vapes as an alternative? These vapes can be a way to make sure your teeth do not turn yellow over time. However, it may not be a solution as you will still be smoking vape liquid which has propylene glycol and flavorings. This can still lead to dry mouth and indirectly lead to discoloration.
Quitting Vaping for Better Oral Health
The best solution for the problem at hand can be quitting vaping altogether. If you prioritize your teeth a lot this is the best solution altogether. The effects of nicotine on teeth and gums can be reduced but it will discolor your teeth today or tomorrow.
Studies show that after quitting, your saliva production returns to normal levels. Over time, teeth can also regain their natural color, especially with professional dental cleanings and whitening treatments.
Tackling Problems Of Yellow Teeth
It is set in stone that vaping can lead to yellow teeth but you can do a lot to slow down the process. Maintain good oral hygiene by using whitening products and regularly brushing. Also, make sure you visit a dentist to professionally tackle this problem. The best way to tackle the problems of yellow teeth is to quit vaping or smoking completely!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does vaping turn your teeth yellow?
Vaping can turn your teeth yellow over time just like tobacco. This is because it has nicotine, PG, and other chemicals that leave behind residue that eventually turn yellow. Vaping also reduces saliva production is a natural process to kill bacteria in the mouth.
Is vaping better for your teeth than smoking?
Vaping in theory is better than smoking as you do not have to worry about tar. In terms of overall oral health, the nicotine and flavor in vape juice can have similar effects that smoking has on teeth health.
What can I do to prevent yellow teeth from vaping?
It is best to maintain good oral hygiene like regular brushing and flossing to prevent yellow teeth. Also, use whitening products like gel strings and whitening mouthwash to reduce yellowing.
Are there products for vapers that help whiten teeth?
Yes, whitening toothpaste, strips, and professional dental treatments can help remove surface stains caused by vaping.
Does nicotine-free vaping stain your teeth?
Nicotine-free vaping reduces the risk of staining, but other ingredients like propylene glycol may still cause dry mouth, which can indirectly lead to yellowing.