College students vape to manage stress, damaging their oral health in the process

Why young people turn to vaping

College can be a tumultuous time for many. Between exams, a rigorous class schedule, internships, work, and the ongoing process of figuring out one's future career path, it's no surprise many university students suffer from general stress, anxiety, and depression.¹

It may also come as no surprise that students use e-cigarettes to mitigate and cope with these negative feelings; in fact, a 2021 survey found that four out of five students admitted to vaping to alleviate their stress.¹

Although e-cigarettes may provide temporary relief, they're also actively harming students' oral health.

How e-cigarettes are harmful

Alternative tobacco products can have serious repercussions. Some side effects of regular use include:

• Xerostomia (dry mouth)

• Smoker's melanosis

• Nicotine stomatitis

• Hairy tongue

• Oral candidiasis

• Peri-implant inflammation

• Oral cavity cancer and other potentially malign disorders (leukoplakia, erythroplakia, or erythroleukoplakia)

Other common side effects include caries, toothaches, abscesses, tooth sensitivity, cracked or broken teeth, dentioenamel staining, and even tooth loss.²

Not only does picking up a vape open the door to these risks, but developing the habit of smoking e-cigarettes may do permanent oral health damage.

Comparing the data

Although more studies are being done on the detrimental effects of e-cigarettes, they are still widely perceived as a "safer" alternative to traditional smoking methods.² As a result, many users are not aware of how vapes can negatively affect their health long-term, thus normalizing an irrefutably dangerous habit.

This may also increase the likelihood of nonsmokers engaging in e-cigarette use and a subsequent nicotine dependence.² Constant or regular exposure to addictive substances have the power to influence those who may otherwise never develop the tendency, making smoking in any form an activity with far-reaching consequences.

Furthermore, 33.6% of e-cigarette users also smoked traditional tobacco cigarettes, which suggests that vaping may serve as a gateway to conventional smoking.²

A study conducted in August of 2024 further explored the risks and dangerous effects of e-cigarettes by comparing the oral health of nonsmokers and regular vape users.

Compared to nonusers, those who smoke e-cigarettes are more likely to develop gingival disease than nonusers and had a higher incidence of caries—which worsened over six months. This is because the physical and chemical properties of e-liquids promote enamel demineralization and bacteria to adhere to the teeth.²

Encouraging patients to adopt healthy habits

Given the dangerous effects of e-cigarette use, it's important to instill healthy habits in patients who vape, especially those who are younger.

Data from a 2021 Truth Initiative survey found that roughly half (50.3%) of frequent vapers aged 15–25 say they need to vape to deal with stress and anxiety, with 45% finding no issue with vaping for stress relief.

However, quitting vaping can actually improve stress, depression, and anxiety; there's an indelible link between mental health and addiction. Forty-seven percent of young people who quit reported having a better sense of control over their life, with 90% feeling less stressed, anxious, or depressed overall. Seventy-eight percent of vapers who are trying to quit believe they will feel better about themselves if they are able to kick their bad habit.¹

By educating patients about the risks of e-cigarette use, you can play a pivotal role in preserving their oral health and guide them toward healthier habits.

References

1. Many young people turn to nicotine to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression, but don't know it may be making them feel worse. Truth Initiative. October 7, 2021. https://truthinitiative.org/research-resources/emerging-tobacco-products/many-young-people-turn-nicotine-deal-stress-anxiety

2. Garcia BFS, Nascimento BB, Marques EF, Jesus CBD, Santana Neto IC, Rocha LST, Oliveira GMS, et al. The use of electronic cigarettes and other tobacco products among university students and their potential relationship with oral health: A cross-sectional study. J Am Dent Assoc. Aug;155(8):647-656. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2024.04.012