Does Vaping Stain Your Teeth?

Vaping devices contain nicotine, which can cause tooth discoloration. When you vape, the nicotine gets trapped inside enamel pores. This results in stains and discoloration.

Tooth discoloration from vaping can be yellow, brown, or black. The color depends on the type of e-juice you use. Brushing your teeth after vaping will not prevent discoloration.

How to Remove Vaping Stains From Teeth

Teeth stains and discoloration can be a source of embarrassment and insecurity for many people. Fortunately, you can take steps to remove vaping stains from your teeth to restore your smile.

Try these tips to remove vaping stains from your teeth:

1. Over-The-Counter (OTC) Teeth Whitening Products

If you have mild staining or discoloration, you can try to reverse it at home. Several OTC teeth whitening products, such as whitening strips or gels, are available. 

These products contain hydrogen peroxide, which helps break down the stains and restore your teeth’s natural color. Following the instructions carefully and avoiding overuse is essential, as excessive whitening can damage enamel.

Always talk to your dentist before you use any OTC dental products.

2. Professional Teeth Whitening Treatments

Professional teeth whitening treatments are more potent and long-lasting than at-home alternatives.

The most common tooth whitening procedure involves your dentist applying a high-concentration hydrogen peroxide gel to your teeth. They then use a special light to activate the whitening agent. 

Your dentist will give you bleaching trays to use at home. Combining at-home and in-office treatments is the most powerful way to reduce tooth discoloration.

3. Natural Remedies

If you want a do-it-yourself option, several natural remedies may help remove vaping stains from your teeth. These remedies include:

• Baking soda — Baking soda can whiten teeth and fix tooth discoloration. Mix it with your toothpaste or brush with baking soda and water.
• Hydrogen peroxide — Hydrogen peroxide is the main ingredient in many tooth-whitening products. You can carefully rinse with a hydrogen peroxide solution at home.

Natural remedies may not be as effective as professional treatments. They can also be abrasive and damage your enamel if used excessively or aggressively.

Always discuss any tooth discoloration with your dentist. They can recommend appropriate treatment options.

What is Vaping?

Vaping is an alternative way to consume tobacco or marijuana. It involves using an electronic device that heats and turns a liquid into a vapor (or aerosol), which the user inhales.

First introduced to the public in 2007, vaping became the most commonly used tobacco product for youth in 2014.¹ Vaping devices include e-cigarettes (like JUUL), pens, and hookahs. The liquid used in vape devices typically contains nicotine or marijuana.

Many people use vaping as a way to quit smoking cigarettes. Others see it as a healthier alternative. Its use remains widespread among teenagers and young adults.

In a 2022 survey, 2.5 million middle and high school students in the U.S. reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.² 

Vaping can be dangerous to your overall health. This includes your oral health.

What are the Oral Health Risks of Vaping?

While vapes typically contain less nicotine than cigarettes, they can still have a severe negative impact on your teeth, gums, and oral soft tissues. 

Many people believe vaping is safer than smoking cigarettes. However, they pose equal risks to your oral health, including:

• Bacterial overgrowth — Too much bacteria in the teeth has been associated with a higher risk of gum disease, cavities, and toothaches.³
• Tooth grinding (bruxism) — Nicotine acts as a stimulant. When it stimulates jaw muscles to contract, it may make you grind your teeth, even when asleep. Bruxism can lead to tooth damage if left untreated.
• Gum inflammation — Research shows that e-cigarettes may trigger inflammatory responses in gum tissue.⁴ Chronic gum inflammation can cause periodontal issues, such as receding gums and infections.
• Decreased blood flow — Nicotine can restrict blood flow to the gums. This can lead to severe periodontal disease.⁵ Advanced periodontal disease can cause deeper gum pockets, attachment and alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss.

Other oral health consequences of vaping might include dry mouth, burns, or sores in your mouth, DNA damage, and oral cancer.

The longer you vape, the more likely you are to experience adverse side effects. 

Oral Hygiene Tips for Vapers

Good oral hygiene is essential for everyone, especially for people who vape. However, taking care of your oral hygiene can’t eliminate the risks of vaping. 

The only way to completely stop or reverse the negative impacts of vaping on your oral health is to quit vaping. Your oral tissues retain the vapor produced by vaping devices, and it isn’t easy to remove.⁶

Other tips for maintaining your oral hygiene as a vaper include:

• Brush your teeth twice daily with a fluoridated toothpaste
• Floss once daily
• Use mouthwash specifically designed for dry mouth
• Drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth and promote saliva production
• Limit sugary foods and beverages, which can increase your risk of tooth decay
• Visit your dentist at least once yearly to monitor your oral health and address issues early

Summary

Vaping can and will cause tooth discoloration and staining if you don’t quit. It’s just as bad for your oral health as smoking cigarettes. 

Long-term vaping can increase your risk for tooth decay, periodontal disease, bruxism, oral cancer, and many other conditions. The only way to prevent or reverse these issues is to quit vaping.

You can lighten tooth stains through OTC whitening products, professional tooth whitening treatments at your dentist’s office, or natural home remedies. However, your teeth will continue to suffer from discoloration for as long as you vape