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What are the Implications of vaping on oral surgery patient management?

BDJ Student (2024)Cite this article

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Vaping can cause dry mouth due to the water absorption of propylene glycol and glycerol; and propylene glycol and nicotine decrease saliva production. With dry mouth, this in turn increases the risk of caries and periodontal disease. Glycerin, an odourless and sweet-tasting liquid found in e-cigarettes when used with other flavourings, can result in an increase in microbial adhesion and biofilm formation. The aerosols produced by heated e-liquids when vaping enable the cariogenic bacteria Streptococcus mutans to adhere to enamel, resulting in demineralisation and can accelerate the development of caries.4 In addition, vaping compromises the periodontal health as it alters the host's tissue response and damages the periodontium, from the main research on e-cigarettes and oral health by Richard Holliday.5 Sundar et al have shown that exposure to e-cigarette aerosols with flavourings has also been ‘associated with increased protein carbonylation, a hallmark of oxidative cell damage, in periodontal ligament fibroblasts'.6 Thus, caries and periodontitis in poor oral health are two primary contributors of tooth loss with the need for extractions in oral surgery.

Sundar et al have shown that exposure to e-cigarette aerosols with flavourings has also been ‘associated with increased protein carbonylation, a hallmark of oxidative cell damage, in periodontal ligament fibroblasts'.6

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References

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  1. Singapore, Singapore

    Li Yun Soh

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  1. Li Yun Soh
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Correspondence to Li Yun Soh.

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Soh, L. What are the Implications of vaping on oral surgery patient management?. BDJ Student (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41406-024-1451-2

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