The use of any tobacco product has long been known to increase your risk of oral cancer amidst a long list of other oral health complications. Patients who use tobacco commonly develop yellow or discolored teeth, halitosis, have an increased risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. But with the introduction of e-cigarettes, many tobacco users were led to believe that they had found a safer alternative without the detrimental side effects of smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco. As it turns out, e-cigarettes may pose an equal threat to the health of users.
E-Cigs May Leak Toxic Metals
A study at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that “significant levels of highly toxic arsenic” are found in e-cigarette vapors. According to an article published by the American Dental Association of America, USA Today reported that the study showed e-cig vapor also contained traceable levels of chromium, manganese, nickel, and lead. These harmful metals are believed to leach out of the heating coils used to create the smokeable vapor.
Study senior author Ana María Rule, assistant scientist in the Bloomberg School’s Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, said, “It’s important for the FDA, the e-cigarette companies and vapers themselves to know that these heating coils, as currently made, seem to be leaking toxic metals – which then get into the aerosols that vapers inhale.” USA Today Article
According to the USA Today article, the research published in the Environmental Health Perspectives showed that levels of these dangerous metals neared or exceeded the standard safe level. Aerosol metal was highest in those e-cigs that were changed more frequently.
The American Dental Association has released an informational guide to e-cigarettes. The resource guide has links to research and information relevant to parents regarding their child’s use of e-cigs. Please review the ADA’s reference guide to read more about how tobacco use of any kind may be harmful to the health of you and your family.
Oral Cancer Screening Sandy Springs GA
Dr. Brenda Paulen advocates for her patient’s oral health and overall wellness. Dr. Paulen encourages patients who smoke or who have quit daily smoking to visit the dentist on a more frequent basis. Patients who use tobacco have a significantly increased risk of developing oral cancer- a potential life threatening disease. When caught early, oral cancer has high survival rates- but all too often the condition is overlooked due to a lack of routine dental health exams.
Dr. Paulen offers Velscope dental technology for the early diagnosis of oral cancer. This handheld device can detect irregular cell formation in the oral cavity before they are visible to the human eye. A visual screening is included in all oral health exams and allows for early intervention of oral cancer.
If you have any questions about your oral health or the effects of e-cigarettes or tobacco use, schedule a consultation with Dr. Paulen. Dr. Paulen and our entire dental care team and Proud Smiles are committed to providing high-quality state of the art dentistry in a comfortable and welcoming environment to patients in and around Sandy Springs, GA.