Local Dentist Concerned About Vaping

A lot is unknown about the health effects of e-cigarettes. But one local dentist is raising concerns over a large number of young adult patients in her office with tooth decay — which she attributes to vaping.

“Kids that we’ve had that have been patients for a while who have not had any history of decay who all of a sudden come in this 14- to 17-year old group – and all of a sudden they have six cavities,” says Dr. Amy Marchese at the Dental Spa.

The vapor-emitting devices have grown into a $4 billion industry in the U.S., but little research has been conducted on the health risks of the various e-liquid formulas. 

READ MORE: E-Cigarettes Likely Encourage Kids To Try Tobacco But May Help Adults Quit

Marchese says she sees a negative impact on dental health, and she's actively communicating her concerns to patients and parents of patients who are minors. She says many of these patients admit to vaping, but deny the tooth decay is linked to their vaping. In addition to the unknowns of vaping, nicotine and dry mouth are contributing factors to tooth decay.

“Part of the issue is on these e-devices they use pumps this out at a different level and it’s hard to monitor," Marchese says. "So they are having a real hard time regulating this, from my understanding, and they are having a real hard time researching it because there is such little consistency.”

Others agree. Several anti-smoking groups recently filed a lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration over a decision by Trump administration officials to delay the review of e-cigarettes.  The suit argues the FDA didn’t follow proper requirements when it decided to delay the deadline for e-cigarette makers to submit their products for review.  The groups say the delay poses a threat to children’s health.