It’s important to be aware of the effect that your daily habits can have on your smile. For example, many people nowadays are vaping CBD oil as a way to relax. However, research shows that this can be less than ideal for your teeth and gums; in fact, it could even increase your risk for gum disease! To help you avoid dental issues in the long term, here’s a closer look at the impact that vaping CBD oil can have on your oral health.
The Link Between Vaping CBD Oil and Gum Disease
Since vaping is relatively new, research is still needed to fully understand its long-term effects. That being said, while it is currently considered a safer alternative to smoking, studies indicate that it can potentially cause problems for your oral health in the following ways:
- It Can Lead to Dry Mouth: The propylene glycol in many electronic cigarettes can cause dryness of the mouth. This results in an environment where harmful oral bacteria can thrive more easily, thus making gum disease more likely to happen.
- It Can Encourage Bacteria Growth: Vaping can increase the presence of certain bacteria in your mouth, putting you at a higher risk for gum disease and other oral health threats.
- It Can Cause Gum Inflammation: There’s evidence to suggest that electronic cigarettes can trigger inflammation in your gums. Chronic inflammation is known to cause gum disease or make it worse.
What Can You Do to Keep Your Gums Healthy?
In order to protect your gums, it’s a good idea to limit how often you vape. You may even consider giving up electronic cigarettes entirely and taking CBD via more smile-friendly methods, such as gummies.
If you do continue to vape, make a point of drinking a lot of water once you’re done. Staying hydrated will help lower your risk of developing a dry mouth, which can go a long way toward keeping your gums healthy.
Of course, you should also make sure that you’re keeping your gums and the rest of your smile as clean as possible by maintaining good oral hygiene. Remember to brush at least two times a day, and don’t forget to pay close attention to the area where the teeth meet the gums. You should also floss daily to get rid of bacteria that may be hiding between your teeth.
Following the right steps can help keep your chances of developing gum disease as low as possible. And if you’re concerned about the effects that vaping CBD oil could be having on your oral health, you can always schedule an appointment with your dentist to see what they recommend.
About the Practice
Here at EMA Dental, our dentists provide judgment-free, high-quality care to our wonderful patients in East Longmeadow, Northampton, and Westfield. We offer scaling and root planing as well as antibiotic therapy as solutions for patients who are struggling with gum disease. If you have concerns about bleeding or inflamed gums, you can schedule an appointment with our team by visiting our website or calling (413) 731-8800.