When it comes to vaping, some users are wondering why their gums are bleeding and whether or not their bleeding gums have anything to do with their vape use. This guide addresses these questions and concerns.
Before we dive into this, it’s best to address the obvious elephant in the room first, which is the question of whether or not vaping can actually cause your gums to bleed.
Does Vaping Make Your Gums Bleed?
While the science behind vaping is limited at this time, in part due to how new vaping is, nicotine’s effects on the mouth have been studied to some depth as a result of numerous scientific inquiries made into the effects tobacco has on the human body.
Nicotine, regardless of its delivery, may be a significant contributor to the development of gum diseases such as periodontitis and gingivitis, according to the findings of a study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Periodontology. If this is indeed the case and it applies to vaping as a delivery method of nicotine, then it is possible vaping nicotine could contribute to the development of gum disease.
Cigarettes, on the other hand, do contribute to gum disease. This we know. But as a result of nicotine’s ability to restrict blood flow, it can actually hide the gum disease’s telltale signs (swelling, irritation) while contributing to its development, making it that much more difficult for oral healthcare professionals to diagnose and detect.
The Answer
While we can’t answer this question with any certainty due to a lack of scientific research into the effects of vaping on oral health, there’s a chance that vaping nicotine may contribute to the development of gum disease, which in turn could result in gums that bleed during brushing and/or flossing.
Professional Advice
An oral surgeon who weighed in on the matter of vaping and gum disease, Mark Burhenne, DDS, recommended in an article published on AskTheDentist that e-cig users keep an eye on their gums and watch for the signs of gum disease. But as nicotine acts as a vaocontrictor that hides the obvious signs of gum disease, Dr. Burhenne recommends getting a periodontal probing (pocket reading) every three months to gauge gum health.
This aside, his primary advice for nicotine vapers and would-be nicotine vapers is to not do it — to stay completely away from nicotine because it has been shown to be detrimental to human health.
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