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Volume2 Issue4
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E-cigaretteshavebeenaround for some time, but haveonlybecomemainstream
inNorthAmericancultureover thepast fewyears. Comprisedof 3major
components—abattery, acartridgeandanatomizer (heatingelement)—
electroniccigarettes replicate smokingbehaviourswithout theuseofmany
harmful chemicals and tobacco. However, thebenefitsof e-cigarettesmaybe
nullifiedbyan increasedexposure tochemicalsdue toextendeduse. ENDScan
alsopotentiallybeequallyasharmful toyourmouthas traditional cigarettes as
theycontainvaryingconcentrationsof nicotine, dependingon thebrand.
E-cigarettesuseeitherdisposableor replaceablecartridges,
andprovidebetween150and300puffsper cartridge—
theequivalent to40cigarettesworthofdrags. A10-mL
liquid solutionused to refillmanye-cigarettes is equiv-
alent to200cigarettesworthofnicotine. According to
Dr.DeepakSaxena, researcher at theNewYorkUniversity
CollegeofDentistry, acartridgecanbe fullyconsumed in
2hours. Although thecontentsof thevapourmaybe fa-
vourablecompared to traditional inhaling fromcigarettes,
early indications suggestprolongedexposure tonicotine
canhave troublingeffectsongum tissue.Dr. Saxenauses
theexampleof smokersona “smokebreak” knowing it’s
time togetback toworkonce their cigarette isfinished.
Yetwithe-cigarettes,many smokerscanpuffaway for
hours—even inside theoffice—withoutpayingattention
tohowmuchnicotine isgoing into their system.
Oral Issues
According toDr. Saxena, initial research indicates regular
e-cigaretteusageputsusers at a significantlyhigher
riskof periodontal disease from increasedexposure to
nicotine. Other known sideeffects includepersistent dry
mouth.
1
Basedon initial invitro researchconductedbyhis
team, Dr. Saxenaalsobelievesgum tissueandmicroflora
arebeingaffectedby thee-cigarette liquid solution, as
the resultingvapour cancreateanoral cavityenvironment
conducive togum tissuemutationandchanges in the
microflora.
This articlewas acollaborationbetweenDr. JohnO'Keefeof CDA
andEliotColesof theNovaScotiaDental Association.
Wewould like toacknowledge theeffortsofDr. DeepakSaxena
andhis teamatNewYorkUniversityCollegeofDentistry.
Aversionof thisarticleoriginallyappeared in theDecember/January2015
editionofNovaScotiaDentistMagazine.
NovaScotia
Dental
Association
The long-term safetyof e-cigarettes isnot yet
established.
2
E-cigarettesare likely tobe lessharmful than tobacco
cigarettes,
2
butnotwithout theirown risks.
Theeffectivenessof e-cigarettesaseither a smoking
cessation tool or aharm reduction tool isnot yet
established.
2
Atpresentnoe-cigarettesare licensedasamedicine
andpatientsare recommended touse licensednicotine
replacement therapyproducts toquit smokingor
reduce tobaccoconsumption.
2
Early indications suggest e-cigarettes canhaveharmful
effectsongum tissueandmicroflora.
Advisepatients that referral toa smokingcessation
service isanoption toconsider.
E-cigarettes canact likeagateway tocigarette smoking
byyouth, andcanoftenenticeyoung smokers through
theuseof flavouredENDS.
KeyMessages
