St. Charles Dentists Voice Concern over E-Cigs

Following recent statements made by the U.S. Surgeon General, dentists in the St. Charles area are voicing their concerns regarding the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes. According to health authorities, electronic cigarettes have officially surpassed traditional cigarettes in the young adult community. These devices have been touted as the safer alternative to traditional tobacco use, but there is growing evidence that electronic cigarettes can still be harmful to your health.

Although these electronic devices do not contain tobacco, they do contain the powerfully addictive chemical drug known as nicotine.

When nicotine is inhaled, it can have a dangerous effect on the brains of young adults and teens. The chemical can alter the nerve and behavioral functions in users and can introduce harmful aerosols into the air. According to current research nicotine is more harmful for young adults than older adults because the chemical has been shown to interfere with brain development. Unfortunately, young adults are using electronic cigarettes more than any other form of tobacco, including hookahs, cigars, or chewing tobacco.

If you are using electronic cigarettes to help you in transitioning from traditional cigarettes, be sure to inform your dentist. It will be important that you receive screening for oral cancer at least once a year for the rest of your life, as the residual effects of tobacco can last for years. However, you’ve still got a reason to celebrate—every day without a traditional cigarette provides your body with the opportunity to begin the healing process. Your choice to move further away from cigarettes is one that dentists applaud.

Dentists hope that, by supporting the Surgeon General’s message, we can have more informative conversations with the youth community and encourage them to avoid smoking – in all forms. Learn more about the health effects of nicotine and tobacco by contacting a dentist in St. Charles for an appointment today.