Impact of E-Cigarettes on Periodontal Health and Disease

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is one of the leading risk factors for periodontal disease, impacting inflammatory process of periodontal tissue. Smoking is known to hinder the immune response of periodontal tissue by causing vasoconstriction to peripheral capillaries, and by so decreasing blood flow and subsequent incoming immune cells. Compared to non-smokers, tobacco smokers were found to have higher count of periopathogens present within dental biofilm. However, over the last decade, electronic cigarettes have made a significant rise in both users and frequency of use. Although the effects of e-cigarettes on oral health are not as evident and prominent as that of tobacco smoking. This study aims to understand the impact of e-cigarettes use on periodontal tissue in comparison to tobacco smoking. A total of 182 patients were included, and divided into three groups, 49 non-smoker, 66 tobacco smokers, and 67 e-cigarettes/vape smokers. Each individual was examined clinically and periodontal indices were recorded, including gingival index, plaque index and bleeding on probing. Overall gingival index scores were worse in smokers, however, bleeding on probing were significantly higher in e-cigarettes smokers and non and lower in tobacco smokers. The study found tobacco smoking had more harmful impact on periodontal status in comparison to e-cigarettes.