Let’s talk about all things vaping. For one thing, it’s not just “vapor”; it’s aerosols. And in that concoction are heavy metals, other known carcinogens, dangerous flavoring agents, and sometimes cannabis/nicotine. In addition to nicotine addiction, vaping causes epithelial cell damage in the lungs and other respiratory issues, secondary exposure to aerosols, morphologic changes to tissues, increased risk of caries, and other negative effects on the oral cavity.
What are the considerations dental professionals should keep in mind from a diagnostic and patient education perspective? In this episode of Medical History Mysteries, Dr. Tom Viola and I will talk in-depth about the chemical makeup of vaping ingredients and their negative effects on the oral cavity.
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Through the Loupes newsletter, a publication of the Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and subscribe to Through the Loupes.
Pamela Maragliano-Muniz, DMD, is the chief editor of DentistryIQ and editorial codirector of Through the Loupes. Based in Salem, Massachusetts, Dr. Maragliano-Muniz began her clinical career as a dental hygienist. She went on to attend Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, where she earned her doctorate in dental medicine. She then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dental Medicine, where she became board-certified in prosthodontics. Dr. Maragliano-Muniz owns a private practice, Salem Dental Arts, and lectures on a variety of clinical topics. You may contact her at [email protected].
