Vaping: We Still Suggest You Avoid It

Vaping, the use of electronic cigarettes, became increasingly popular in the U.S. a few years ago. At the time, Dr. Fava, in an article published in Your Teen Magazine, urged patients to avoid vaping since preliminary research showed that vaping could cause long-term, harmful oral effects.

Newer studies reinforce our opinion. As part of a recent NYU College of Dentistry project, researchers reviewed 84 adults in what may be the first longitudinal (over a period of time) study involving e-cigarette use. As published in the American Society of Microbiology journal, mBio, the results indicated that oral bacteria seen in e-cigarette users was more similar to that of cigarette smokers than nonsmokers.

Concluded one of the researchers, “E-cigarette use is a relatively new human habit. Unlike smoking, which has been studied extensively for decades, we know little about the health consequences of e-cigarette use and are just starting to understand how the unique microbiome promoted by vaping impacts oral health and disease.”

Our advice: If you haven’t taken up the habit, please don’t! Need smoking cessation help? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a variety of tips here.