A comparison of the caries risk between patients who use vapes or electronic cigarettes and those who do not: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Evidence on the potential oral health effects of vaping is scarce and there are limited data on possible links to both caries and periodontal disease. The authors assessed the association between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) or vape use and caries risk level. The Caries Management by Risk Assessment tool was used.

Methods: A cross-sectional study of patient records was conducted; 13,098 patients who attended the dental school clinics from January 1, 2019, through January 1, 2022, were included in the study. Mann-Whitney U test and multivariable ordinal logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between use of e-cigarettes or vapes and caries risk level.

Results: Data from 13,216 patients were included in the data set initially; 13,080 responded "no" when asked whether they used e-cigarettes or vapes (99.3%), and 136 responded "yes" (0.69%). There was a statistically significant difference (P < .001) in caries risk levels between the e-cigarette or vape group and the control group; 14.5%, 25.9%, and 59.6% of the control group were in the low, moderate, and high caries risk categories, respectively, and 6.6%, 14.3%, and 79.1% of the e-cigarette or vape group were in the low, moderate, and high caries risk categories, respectively.

Conclusions: In this study population, there was an association between use of e-cigarettes or vapes and caries risk level of patients; vaping patients had a higher risk of developing caries.

Practical implications: Within the study limitations, it was recommended that use of e-cigarettes or vapes should not only be included in the routine dental-medical history questionnaire, but also among the risk factors that increase a patient's caries risk level.

Keywords: Vaping; caries; caries risk level; e-cigarettes.