What Is Vaping Really Doing to Your Mouth?

In this episode of the Dental Check-up Podcast, Prof. Purnima Kumar explores the growing body of evidence on how Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENNDS) affect oral health.

More than 100 million adults and 15 million adolescents worldwide now use e-cigarettes, making vaping one of the most rapidly evolving issues in public health. While research on their long-term effects is still developing, studies are already identifying changes in the oral environment associated with e-cigarette use. From dry mouth and increased risk of dental caries to alterations in the oral microbiome and inflammation of oral tissues, evidence is emerging that vaping can affect oral health in multiple ways.

Drawing on the latest research and FDI's review paper, To Vape or Not to Vape: Oral Health in the Age of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Electronic Non-Nicotine Delivery Systems, Prof. Kumar explains how these products work, why they have become so popular, and what current evidence reveals about their effects on the mouth and the body. The discussion also explores the challenges of regulation, the importance of patient education, and the role of dentists and dental teams in supporting informed decision-making.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe how ENDS and ENNDS function and identify the factors contributing to their widespread use, particularly among younger populations.
2. Discuss current evidence linking e-cigarette use to oral health outcomes, including dry mouth, dental caries, changes in the oral microbiome and inflammation of oral tissues.
3. Explain the current state of knowledge regarding the broader health implications of vaping, including areas where evidence is still emerging and long-term effects remain uncertain.