Vaping, E-cigarette Use Increases Risk of Dental Caries

Individuals who use e-cigarettes or vapes have a higher risk of developing dental caries when compared with individuals who do not use these smoking devices, according to a recent study. 

The researchers examined patient records of 13,098 individuals who attended dental school clinics from 2019 to 2022. Of the total participants, 99.3% (n = 13,080) did not use e-cigarettes or vapes, while 0.69% (n = 136) used these products. The risk of caries was measured by the Caries Management by Risk Assessment tool.

The results indicated that there was a statistically significant difference (P < .001) in the risk level of caries between the two groups. Of the individuals in the control group, 14.5% were low risk, 25.9% were moderate risk, and 59.6% were high risk for developing caries. In comparison, 6.6% were low risk, 14.3% were moderate risk, and 79.1% were high risk for developing caries in the e-cigarette or vape use group.

“Within the study limitations, it was recommended that use of e-cigarettes or vapes should not only be included in the routine dental-medical history questionnaire, but also among the risk factors that increase a patient’s caries risk level,” the researchers concluded.

—Leigh Precopio

Reference:

Irusa KF, Finkelman M, Magnuson B, Donovan T, Eisen SE. A comparison of the caries risk between patients who use vapes of electronic cigarettes and those who do not: a cross-sectional study. J Am Dent Assoc. 2022;153(12):1179-1183. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2022.09.013