Vaping and E-Cigarettes: Emerging Trends and Potential Impact on Periodontal Health- A Narrated Review

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are battery-powered devices designed to vaporize and heat a liquid solution that typically includes nicotine. Despite recent advances, however, modern vapes have achieved the 50-year-old dream of imitating smoking while reducing the number of toxins, and future advances are bound to disrupt the current generation of electronic cigarettes. Vaping has been considered a leading risk factor for different oral pathologies and conditions, including oral cancer and periodontitis. The rapid growth in the popularity of vaping has resulted in diverse potential health consequences, many of which have the potential to affect periodontal health. Some studies indicate potential benefits in vaping concerning transitioning from traditional smoking cigarettes to vaping because of a reduced prevalence of established diseases, while others report an increased risk of periodontitis among e-cigarette smokers. Additionally, dental practitioners should be aware of the challenges associated with oral health among vape patients and educate them on the potential deterioration effects while conducting regular assessments of smoking habits.