Quitting smoking reduces the risk of developing plaque on the teeth. This is according to an Italian study that compared plaque development between smokers, non-smokers and e-cigarette users.
"Exposure of the oral cavity to the chemicals produced by combustion and smoking increases the risk of plaque, caries and tooth loss. The aerosol from e-cigarettes does not affect the oral cavity to the same extent and the risk of plaque was indistinguishable from that of non-smokers." write the researchers at the University of Catania.
Plaque, a coating of bacteria on teeth that can lead to cavities and tooth loss, is more common in smokers than in non-smokers. This is based on previous research in this area.
"This is likely due to changes in the composition of saliva, including enzymes and immunoglobulins, which reduce defensive functions and promote plaque formation in smokers. In addition, smoking has been shown to amplify the deleterious effects by facilitating colonisation and infection." the researchers conclude in their analysis.
Compared smoking with vejpning
But what about those who use more modern nicotine products - such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn systems? The Italian research team wanted to find out. The study involved a total of 136 people aged 18-50 years. There were 30 smokers, 24 ex-smokers, 29 never smokers and 54 vejp users (who use nicotine via e-cigarettes or heat-not-burn systems).
Major differences
The results showed that the accumulation of plaque and tartar in current cigarette smokers differed significantly between smokers, non-smokers and ex-smokers and e-cigarette users. However, no significant differences were found among vejpers, never smokers or ex-smokers.
"This suggests that the use of nicotine via e-cigarettes, which work without combustion, significantly reduces exposure to harmful chemicals that affect oral health by creating favourable conditions for biofilm formation and maturation," the researchers write in their analysis.
Several factors come into play
At the same time, the researchers emphasise that other factors also influence oral hygiene. They also compared how regularly participants brushed their teeth and what their eating habits were like. Despite this, it was the difference between smokers and non-smokers that stood out. There were also no major differences between the two different types of smokeless nicotine use. But the researchers do not want to draw any far-reaching conclusions here.
"Differences between heat-not-burn and regular e-cigarettes were harder to see. This is likely due to the relatively small size of this group and the fact that it is not possible to ensure statistical differences." the researchers write.
Want to see bigger studies
The researchers note that larger studies are needed to clarify the more specific oral health risks of smokeless nicotine use. At the same time, they argue that e-cigarettes of various types are often used as a substitute for cigarette smoking and that the differences between the various uses may therefore warrant studies that highlight these differences.
"It is the burnt constituents of cigarette smoke that play a significant role in the accumulation of supragingival plaque. In the future, much larger and prospective studies will be required to discover the true effect of e-cigarettes versus heat-not-burn on dental plaque and tartar accumulation. One such study is currently underway." the researchers write.
Currently has help from Vejp. And snuff pillow.