Everyone knows that healthy oral hygiene habits are important to prevent diseases that damage teeth and gums, often put at risk by harmful habits such as smoking.
Smoking is known to release compounds that contribute to the buildup of dental plaque, a bacterial biofilm on tooth surfaces that can lead to gingivitis and periodontitis. Known to have a reduced health risk compared to traditional smoking, the emergence of safer nicotine delivery products on the market has raised the question: “Can these alternatives reduce the damage to oral health?”
To find an answer to this question, the SMILE Institute examined how non-combustible nicotine delivery products, specifically focusing on vaping and heated tobacco products (HTPs), compared to traditional smoking, impact oral health.
On February 26, 2024, the study looked at whether switching from traditional smoking to safer nicotine delivery methods would improve gum health, reduce plaque buildup, and minimize tooth enamel discoloration. Experts from Germany, the UK, Italy, Poland, Moldova, and Indonesia contributed to the study design, including dental clinics in Italy, Poland, and Indonesia.
The study population included current smokers, individuals who switched to non-combustible products, and non-smokers, providing a comprehensive comparison. A total of 136 participants were divided into four groups: 30 current smokers (≥10 cigarettes/day); 24 former smokers (≥6 months quit); 29 never smokers; and 53 combined e-cigarette and heated tobacco users (≥6 months quit).
Participants were asked to maintain their usual oral hygiene routine and to abstain from smoking or using other products two hours before the study. Smoking status was verified by carbon monoxide testing. Plaque buildup was measured using HD camera images that use light to create fluorescence, which were processed at the pixel level to detect plaque on the front teeth. Researchers also looked for changes in tooth staining, tooth discoloration, and assessed oral health-related quality of life.
The study found that e-cigarette and heated tobacco use alone significantly reduced plaque buildup compared with current smokers. Plaque levels in e-cigarette and heated tobacco users were similar to those in people who had never smoked and those who had quit, and significantly lower than in current smokers.
These findings suggest that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products may offer a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes for maintaining oral health. However, the team also stressed that daily brushing and rinsing is an important factor in influencing plaque levels.
