The impact of electronic cigarettes on oral health of young adult patients

Abstract

The electronic cigarette (EC) emerged as an alternative to conventional cigarette (CC) use, acting as a means to combat smoking. Despite being considered less harmful to health than conventional cigarettes by many authors, its use is not without risks. The present study aims to discuss and elucidate the impacts of electronic cigarette use on the oral health of young adult patients. This literature review was conducted through the selection of scientific articles in Portuguese and English languages, addressing the topics of electronic cigarettes and oral health. The databases used included the Virtual Health Library (BVS), PubMed, and Google Scholar. The search was based on the following health descriptors: electronic cigarette, vaping, and oral health, and their English equivalents, with a time limit from 2019 to 2023. Several studies report the effects of electronic cigarettes on oral health, such as xerostomia, halitosis, dental caries, tooth loss and avulsion, periodontal disease, and various oral pathologies. Furthermore, the chemical components present in electronic cigarette liquids can also impact oral health, potentially leading to dental enamel damage and unknown risks to oral cavity cells and tissues. Therefore, it is necessary to address the impact and risks of electronic cigarettes on oral health, in addition to the known risks to users' overall health. Health professionals should be attentive to this issue and include information about electronic cigarette use in their assessments and patient guidance.

Keywords: Electronic cigarette, vaping, oral health.