Electronic Cigarettes & Your Teenager

It’s recently been found that around 10% of high school aged teens have smoked electronic cigarettes (also called e-cigarettes). This number is much higher than the adult average, which comes in at only at 2-3%. Lots of people assume that e-cigarettes are safer to smoke than regular cigarettes, but there are no studies to prove this.

It’s important to keep in mind that electronic cigarettes are still nicotine delivery devices. We all know how damaging nicotine can be to the body, especially in kids and teenagers.

What is nicotine?

Nicotine is a very addictive stimulant. When you inhale nicotine into your body, it will be immediately absorbed into the tissue of your lungs. From here, it will be introduced into the blood stream and carried to the brain. Once in the brain, nicotine can have a calming effect on the user. When you look of the number of people addicted to smoking, it’s not surprising to hear that nicotine is among the most addictive substances available today.

How can nicotine damage your teen’s oral health?

Nicotine can narrow the blood vessels, reducing the flow of blood throughout your teenager’s body. This will undoubtedly cause health issues, including damage to the dental health. One of the many risks is an increased chance of gum disease or periodontitis. If less blood is delivered to the gums, this also means decreased oxygen and nutrients. The symptoms of gum disease include red, swollen, bleeding gums, bad breath, loosening teeth, and eventual tooth loss. It’s important to keep an eye out for these symptoms and come in at the first sign of trouble.

At the end of the day, nicotine is still nicotine no matter how you’re ingesting it. Because electronic cigarettes are being marketed directly to young adults and teenagers, it’s more important than ever for parents to be vigilant and talk to their kids about the dangers of smoking.

If you’re concerned about your child’s dental health, please contact Lockett Orthodontics, located in Colorado Springs, CO.