Africa-Press – Seychelles. In the following interview with Dr Shuchi Singh, we learn about the differences between smoking and vaping, their effects on oral and overall health, and how teeth and gum problems can be prevented in smokers. She also shares her advice on how to quit smoking and vaping.
Dr Singh is registered to the Seychelles Medical and Dental Council as a dental practitioner. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery from Ghaziabad, India in 2013 and has diverse experience in general dentistry for more than nine years.
Dr Singh worked in multiple hospitals and private clinics in India before moving to Seychelles. She is passionate about educating and spreading awareness about oral health among the masses to curb oral cancer and other oral diseases.
What is the difference between smoking and vaping?
Dr Singh:
Using an e-cigarette is often called ‘vaping’. E-cigarettes are devices designed to deliver an aerosol (vapour) by heating up a solution that users breathe in. These products were formed to be a safer alternative to smoking cigarette, but vaping still has harmful effects. Users are still inhaling substances other than oxygen into their lungs. Lung injury is more and more common in users of the vaping product.
Overall there is not much difference between smoking and vaping. Commonly, smoking was thought to be more harmful because the product is being burnt and smoke inhaled into the lungs. Recent studies now suggest that similar damage and decreased ability to fight infections can be seen from heating up vaping solutions and inhaling that vapour into the lungs.
Tell us more about vaping. Does it help people to quit smoking?
Dr Singh:
In recent times, the number of teenagers and adults vaping on e-cigarette has risen sharply. They are often seen as a ‘healthier’ version of smoking cigarette. But recent studies show that vaping can be detrimental to overall health. Vaping during teenage years has been shown to increase the risk of traditional cigarette or tobacco addiction and uptake in the future.
The liquid or ‘vaping juice’ used may contain toxic chemicals as well as added flavourings. Some may contain nicotine even when they are labelled as ‘nicotine free’. It contains harmful substances such as:
– Deep cuts and bleeding
– Loss of teeth, eyes and fingers
– Severe burns
– Permanent scarring
– Permanent disfigurement on lips and facial region
– Broken bones
How does smoking and vaping affect oral health, teeth and gums?
Dr Singh:
Smoking can impact your oral health. If a person smokes tobacco, it’s important to look after their oral health to prevent dental problems and gum disease.
People who smoke have a higher risk of gum problem, tooth loss, complication after tooth removal and surgery in the mouth, and developing oral cancer. They are more likely to get infections and don’t heal as well as non-smokers.
The effects of smoking include:
What are the effects of vaping and smoking on overall health?
Dr Singh:
According to reports, cigarettes cause health risks. These cigarettes contain and emit a number of potentially toxic substances. Youth who use vape pens are at high risk for cough, wheezing and increase in asthma exacerbations. They sometimes experience heaviness and tightness in the chest. Smoking and vaping have been linked to:
How can teeth and gum problems be prevented in smokers?
Dr Singh:
●First try to quit smoking ‒ speak to your dentist or call quit lines for guidance and support. If it’s hard to quit then start with reducing the number of smoke/vape.
Do you have any advice on how to quit smoking and vaping?
Dr Singh:
Teenagers need a lot of care to quit using these products. The brains of young people are very susceptible to nicotine; this makes nicotine highly addictive to them unlike their older counterparts. It’s never too late to quit traditional cigarettes or e-cigarettes.
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