E-cigarettes have gained popularity among adolescents and adults and are either used as alternatives to traditional cigarettes or to help in smoking cessation. Their impact on one’s systemic and periodontal conditions is a growing concern among health and oral health professionals. This review investigated the evidence of the effect of electronic nicotine delivery systems on periodontal health. A systematic search of available literature in three areas of interest: intraoral microbiome alterations, impact on periodontal disease markers, and comparisons of the e-cigarette population to conventional smokers. Results indicate that the use of e-cigarettes modifies the oral microbiome, increases inflammatory reactions and affects salivary composition. These changes are a contributing factor to tissue damage and increased susceptibility to periodontal disease. Comparative studies have also shown that cigarette smoke and e-cigarette aerosol increase the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, causing cellular damage in the periodontium. It has been proven from the evidence that e-cigarettes have negative effects on periodontal health. Finally, longitudinal studies of exclusive e-cigarette users are needed to establish the chronic influence and severity of these effects.
Keywords: e-cigarettes, nicotine delivery systems, oral health, periodontal health, vaping
