From Vape to Disease: Evaluating the Oral Health Threat of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) Products. A Review of the Literature
Abstract
The global rise in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, particularly among youth and young adults, has prompted
growing concern regarding their implications for oral health. This comprehensive review synthesizes findings from six
peer-reviewed studies published between 2020 and 2025, including systematic reviews and meta- analyses. The
evidence indicates that while e-cigarettes may pose fewer oral health risks than traditional combustible tobacco
products, they are far from benign. Commonly reported effects include mouth and throat irritation, increased plaque
accumulation, gingival inflammation, periodontal tissue breakdown, reduced salivary antioxidant capacity, and
disturbances in the oral microbiome. Additionally, in vitro and clinical studies reveal cytotoxic, genotoxic, and
pro-inflammatory responses in oral tissues exposed to e-cigarette aerosols, which often contain harmful substances
such as heavy metals, aldehydes, and volatile organic compounds. Although some data suggest that switching from conventional cigarettes to e- cigarettes may confer limited periodontal benefits, the use of e-cigarettes is still
associated with significantly poorer oral health outcomes compared to non-smoking controls. The reviewed literature
consistently concludes that e-cigarettes should not be recommended as a harm-free alternative or a
cessation aid without further long-term evidence. These findings underscore the need for enhanced public awareness,
regulatory oversight, and robust…
Read the paper
Related studies
- Tobacco and COPD: presenting the World Health Organization (WHO) Tobacco Knowledge Summary
- Comparative effects of e-cigarette smoking on periodontal status, salivary pH, and cotinine levels
- Association between exposure to environmental pollutants and increased oral health risks, a comprehensive review
- Influence of gestational window on offspring vascular health in rodents with in utero exposure to electronic cigarettes
- Natural products as kinase inhibitors in lung cancer: molecular mechanisms, therapeutic potential, and clinical trials
- Nicotine in electronic cigarettes
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.