To start out, e-cigarettes still contain nicotine, which we all know isn't good for our overall health. But what exactly does the nicotine do? It restricts blood vessels and increases risk for periodontal disease.
What does all that jargon mean? Everyone has white blood cells that "eat bacteria" and reduce the bad bacterial levels (which is a very good thing!). If blood vessels are restricted, causing less blood flow, these white blood cells are unable to do their job of reducing bad bacteria. As a result, gingivitis may occur which can lead to a more progressed inflammation and redness of gums, also known as periodontal disease. According to National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research." In periodontitis, gums pull away from the teeth and form spaces (called “pockets”) that become infected." If not treated, teeth may become loose and fall out.
If you're curious as to whether or not it's worth switching to e-cigs from regular cigarettes, the answer may not be clear. There hasn't been enough research to say whether or not it's much healthier, but here are a few facts.
E-cigs do not has as much of an effect on recovery processes as opposed to regular cigarettes, however they still do have some effect. According to WebMD, "The biggest danger from tobacco is the smoke, and e-cigarettes don't burn. Tests show the levels of dangerous chemicals they give off are a fraction of what you'd get from a real cigarette."
Although e-cigarettes are not as "harsh" as regular cigarettes, they can still be harmful to your body and your smile, so use them as a "bridge" to help you quit, if you plan to quit eventually, but we wouldn't recommend just switching to them as an alternative or starting to use them for "fun" if you're not a smoker already.
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