View Accessibility Options
Get Directions Grass Valley, CA | Call to Schedule! (530) 272-9026
Get Directions Lincoln, CA | Call to Schedule! (916) 251-0170

E-Cigarettes: An Update On Safety

E-Cigarettes: An Update On Safety and New Warnings

In the winter of 2014, we published an article about e-cigarettes – exploring the risks to users’ oral health.  In case you missed it, you can read it here.

At the time we wrote the article, there were several studies underway to determine the safety of e-cigarettes. Although a number of studies are still ongoing, some of the data is now available, and it doesn’t look good for e-cigarettes.

A quick review

E-Cigarettes convert nicotine into vapor, which is delivered into the mouth and bloodstream of the user. Since they produce vapor rather than smoke, they must be safer, correct?

nicotine stains on teeth - Caring Tree Children's Dentistry
Stains from nicotine aren’t very attractive

You may be absorbing a much higher concentration of nicotine, diethylene glycol (found in antifreeze) and formaldehyde with e-cigarettes.

Nicotine and tooth decay

We know that smokers lose their teeth at double the rate of non-smokers, and that they’re four times more likely to develop gum disease.  The most prevalent chemical in cigarettes is nicotine, known to cause the following:

  • Constricted arteries, making your heart work harder to pump blood through your body. Repeated exposure to nicotine contributes to coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and heart attacks.
  • Fat and cholesterol are released into your bloodstream when triggered by nicotine
  • Slow wound healing, stroke, and peptic ulcers
  • Oral cancer
  • Periodontal (gum) disease

Inhaled nicotine reaches your brain in 7 seconds.

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen. Because the levels of formaldehyde are up to ten times higher in e-cigarettes than conventional cigarettes, dentists and oral surgeons are gravely concerned about a subsequent rise in the cases of oral cancer. In the United States, oral cancer is already a killer – it claims an average of one life every hour of every day. Imagine if this statistic rises in correlation to the increased level of formaldehyde in e-cigarettes?

 

Marketing to children

It’s no secret that e-cigarettes are marketed to children.  A quick search on Google reveals flavored nicotine laced liquids such as ‘Coffee Cake’, ‘Gummy Bear’, ‘Huckleberry Ice Cream’, and ‘Bubble Gum’, which are clearly made to sound attractive to young prospects.  Blu e-cigs even recently ran an ad with their logo plastered squarely across the pubic area of a teen in a bikini, which stated ‘slim, charged, ready to go’, inferring that teens who vaped were inherently more cool and edgy than their peers.

Sadly, the number of teens and tweens using these products doubled between 2011 and 2012. In fact, e-cigarettes will likely outsell conventional cigarettes within the next decade. What’s frightening is that the effect of nicotine on developing brains is even more dangerous than it is to adults.

A research paper released by the National Institute for Health found that ‘early exposure to nicotine during the transition from child to adult may be harmful, since it may derange the normal course of brain maturation and have lasting consequences for cognitive ability, mental health, and even personality.’ The research further found that adolescents become dependent on nicotine much faster than adults. Since the oral health consequences of nicotine exposure tend to be cumulative, the use of e-cigarettes in adolescents as young as 12 or 13 is potentially devastating. The rates of oral cancer, gum disease and tooth loss could be occurring in increasingly younger populations.

Because there is no tell-tale ‘smoke’ odor, it can be difficult for parents to know if their teens are using e-cigarettes. Nicotine is especially dangerous for young children: A teaspoon of a typical e-liquid contains enough nicotine to be lethal to an adult; smaller amounts would be lethal to a child. In the United States the number of cases of child poisoning linked to e-liquids was 1,543 in 2013 and nearly 4,000 in 2014.

Advertisement in Sports Illustrated to attract teens
Advertisement in Sports Illustrated to attract teens

 Study Results

The Center for Environmental Health released the results of a study this month which reached alarming conclusions. Not only are the concentrations of Nicotine and Diethylene Glycol much higher in e-cigarettes, but ‘vapers’ (those who use e-cigarettes) are getting dangerously high levels of Formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde with every puff. These are known carcinogens, and the amount in e-cigarettes  exceeds the levels deemed ‘safe’ under Proposition 65, the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986. This study mirrored one which was published in the Journal of American Medicine which found that chemical concentrations in the liquids used in e-cigarettes were much higher than those found in traditional cigarettes. Here’s a link to the study by the CEH.

According to new studies detailed at the 2015 American Thoracic Society International Conference in Denver Colorado this month, the increased levels of toxic chemicals released by e-cigarettes were particularly concerning when the cumulative effect was considered. It turns out that the flavorings added to e-cig liquids may be even more potentially damaging than the non-flavored varieties. The University of North Carolina Cell Biology and Physiology Department found changes in cell viability and proliferation. In other words, the ability of cells to stay alive and replicate was compromised.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Report

 The NIDCR, part of the National Institute of Health, issued a report late last year to the American Dental Association. They see an ‘urgent need to determine their true biological effects on oral tissues’.  Their report found that e-cigarettes’ present a potential oral cancer and periodontal disease risk for users, due to their higher exposure to these chemical mixtures’.

 Regulation and Standardization

The Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are currently drafting legislation to require both regulation and standardization. E-cigarettes now vary so widely in their nicotine solutions, vapor substances, additives, delivery system and combustion methods; they present a ‘moving target’ for researchers.

What Does This Mean for Your Child?

 Given that e-cigarettes contain an average of 10 times the nicotine as conventional cigarettes, it is logical to surmise that the cases of tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer would rise accordingly. The increasingly young age at which children begin to use e-cigarettes will also presumably result in these diseases presenting at a much younger age than ever seen previously.

Nearly 46,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer in 2015. It will kill 1 person per hour, 24 hours a day. Of the 46,000, only about 50% will still be alive 5 years from the time of their diagnosis.

64% of smokers suffer from gum disease, and resulting tooth loss. E-cigarettes are likely to exponentially increase those numbers.

None of us wants our children to suffer the terrible consequences of nicotine exposure. Early education is the key to helping your child make good decisions about his or her oral health. When children are very young, it seems to them that nothing will ever happen to them. It’s only long after they become addicted to nicotine that they begin to realize the potential effects.

If your child is talking about e-cigarettes and peer pressure, let us know at their next visit. We want to partner with you in keeping your child’s teeth and gums healthy and their smile beautiful!

Menu
Need help?
Accessibility
Accessibility Options
Accessibility On Our Website

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 are recognized and acknowledged as the international standard measure of success. We regularly test our site to ensure we meet or exceed that standard and also consistently look for ways to improve the web site’s performance, speed, and accessibility.

We are committed to continuously improving access to our goods and services by individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to use any aspect of this website because of a disability, please call (530) 272-9026 and we will provide you with prompt personalized assistance.

If you have trouble seeing web pages, the US Social Security Administration offers these tips for optimizing your computer and browser to improve your online experience.

If you are looking for mouse and keyboard alternatives, speech recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking may help you navigate web pages and online services. This software allows the user to move focus around a web page or application screen through voice controls.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, there are several accessibility features available to you.

Closed Captioning
Closed captioning provides a transcript for the audio track of a video presentation that is synchronized with the video and audio tracks. Captions are generally visually displayed over the video, which benefits people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and anyone who cannot hear the audio due to noisy environments. Most of our website’s video content includes automated captions. Learn how to turn captioning on and off in YouTube.

Volume Controls
Your computer, tablet, or mobile device has volume control features. Each video and audio service has its own additional volume controls. Try adjusting both your device’s volume controls and your media players’ volume controls to optimize your listening experience.

Direct Link

Appointments
Need help?

Where would you like to schedule your appointment?

Grass Valley

Lincoln

Helpful Resources

Below are links you may find helpful when scheduling an appointment with us.

Contact Us
Need help?

TWO LOCATIONS TO BETTER SERVE YOU

Grass Valley
452 Brunswick Road
Grass Valley, CA 95945
(530) 272-9026
Get Directions to our Grass Valley, CA Location

Lincoln
150 Gateway Dr. Ste 110
Lincoln, CA 95648
(916) 251-0170
Get Directions to our Lincoln, CA Location

Notifications
Latest Articles

Four Natural Cavity Prevention Tips For Your Kids

Dental cavities (aka dental caries) are common in children and at...

Four Natural Cavity Prevention Tips For Your Kids (featured image)

Three Things To Expect During Your Child’s Fluoride Treatment

At Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry in Lincoln & Grass...

Three Things To Expect During Your Child’s Fluoride Treatment (featured image)

Three Tooth-Friendly Lunchbox Ideas for School-Age Children

At Caring Tree Children’s Dentistry in Lincoln & Grass...

Three Tooth-Friendly Lunchbox Ideas for School-Age Children (featured image)
Follow Us On Social Media

Facebook

Stay informed on updates and upcoming events from our office.

YouTube

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.

Your Privacy
Privacy Policy

This privacy notice discloses our privacy practices and the use of Google Analytics 4(GA4), an analytic advertising feature. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website and the GA4 platform. It will notify you of the following:

  1. What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website and GA4 platform, how it is used, and with whom it may be shared.
  2. The choices available to you regarding the use of your data.
  3. The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information.
  4. How you can correct any inaccuracies in the information.

Information Collection, Use, and Sharing
We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.

We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy.

While Caring Tree Children's Dentistry is the primary data controller, Google, in the context of providing Google Analytics service, acts as a data processor. We use Google Analytics 4, a widely recognized web analytics service provided by Google, Inc., to track user interactions and gather data for advertising purposes. As a third-party vendor, Google Analytics operates independently and maintains its own privacy policy, which can be found at https://policies.google.com/privacy. We carefully select our third-party vendors for their commitment to user privacy and adherence to data protection standards. As part of our ongoing commitment to your privacy, we implement measures to ensure that services like GA4 comply with our high standards of data protection.

GA4 collects certain personally identifiable information from you as you interact with our website. This information includes but is not limited to your device ID, IP address, and geographic location. The information collected through GA4 is used to analyze user behavior, optimize our website’s performance, and tailor our content to better serve your needs. This data is compiled and anonymized, ensuring that it cannot be linked back to individual users.

Please note that GA4 may share the information collected with Google and other third-party service providers to enable data processing and reporting on website usage. However, we will not sell, rent, or share your information, especially your personally identifiable information, with any third party outside of our organization.

Your Access to and Control Over Information
You have certain rights regarding the data collected by GA4. You have the right to do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website:

  • See what data we have about you, if any.
  • Have us delete any data we have about you.
  • Express any concern you have about our use of your data.

In addition to opting out of any future communications from us at any time, you may also opt out of the GA4 feature if you so choose. You can opt out of the GA4 Advertising Features we use through Ads Settings, Ad Settings for mobile apps, or through the NAI’s. This link points to Google Analytics’ currently available opt-outs for the web https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout/

Security
We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline. GA4 also follows industry best practices to protect your data both online and offline.

To ensure data protection while we are using GA4, we are implementing additional security measures that include and are not limited to:

  • limiting data access,
  • using secure protocols,
  • managing data sharing with Google

Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the Web page.

While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example, billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

Contact Us
If you have any concerns about the use of GA4 or believe that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, please contact us immediately. We are committed to addressing any privacy-related issues promptly and transparently.

By using our website and consenting to the use of GA4, you acknowledge and agree to the data collection and processing practices described in this notice. For more information about GA4 and its privacy practices, please review Google’s Privacy Policy on this link https://policies.google.com/privacy.

If you feel that we are not abiding by this privacy policy, you should contact us immediately.

Notice of Privacy Practices
Notice of Privacy Practices

This privacy notice discloses the privacy practices for our website. This privacy notice applies solely to information collected by this website. It will notify you of the following:

  1. What personally identifiable information is collected from you through the website, how it is used and with whom it may be shared.
  2. What choices are available to you regarding the use of your data.
  3. The security procedures in place to protect the misuse of your information.
  4. How you can correct any inaccuracies in the information.

Information Collection, Use, and Sharing
When Personal Health Information (PHI) is requested, we abide by all Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) rules and regulations to protect your information and privacy. We are required by applicable federal and state law to maintain the privacy of your health information. We are also required to give you this Notice about our privacy practices, our legal duties, and our rights concerning your health information. We must follow the privacy practices that are described in this Notice while it is in effect. This notice takes effect January 1, 2019, and will remain in effect until we replace it. We reserve the right to change our privacy practices and the terms of this Notice at any time, provided such changes are permitted by applicable law. We reserve the right to make the changes in our privacy practices and the new terms of our Notice effective for all health information that we maintain, including health information we created or received before we made the changes. Before we make a significant change in our privacy practices, we will change this Notice and make the new Notice available upon request. You may request a copy of our Notice at any time. For more information about our privacy practices, or for additional copies of this Notice, please contact us using the information listed at the end of this Notice.

Wherever we request sensitive information (such as personal health information (PHI)), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the Web page.

We are the sole owners of the information collected on this site. We only have access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. We will not sell or rent this information to anyone.

We will use your information to respond to you, regarding the reason you contacted us. We will not share your information with any third party outside of our organization, other than to perform quality of service analysis and as necessary to fulfill your request, e.g. to respond to your queries. We may use your information to review our interactions with you and to help us improve and provide you with the best experience possible.

Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new products or services, or changes to this privacy policy.

Your Access to and Control Over Information
You may opt out of any future contacts from us at any time. You can do the following at any time by contacting us via the email address or phone number given on our website:

  • See what data we have about you, if any.
  • Change/correct any data we have about you.
  • Have us delete any data we have about you.
  • Express any concern you have about our use of your data.
  • Revoke an authorization previously made
  • You have additional rights, please contact the office for the latest copy of our Notice of Privacy Practices and to ask any questions.

Security
We take precautions to protect your information. When you submit sensitive information via the website, your information is protected both online and offline.

Wherever we collect sensitive information (such as personal health information or credit card data), that information is encrypted and transmitted to us in a secure way. You can verify this by looking for a lock icon in the address bar and looking for “https” at the beginning of the address of the Web page.

While we use encryption to protect sensitive information transmitted online, we also protect your information offline. Only employees who need the information to perform a specific job (for example: billing or customer service) are granted access to personally identifiable information. The computers/servers in which we store personally identifiable information are kept in a secure environment.

If you feel that we are not complying with your rights, you should contact us immediately via telephone or email. You also have the right to contact Health and Human Services (HHS) (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/filing-a-complaint/). We will not retaliate against you for filing a complaint.

Terms of Service
Terms of Service

Entering this site or the links accessible through this site, you agree to be bound by this agreement. The information and the resources contained on and accessible through this site are made available by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry and/or its suppliers and vendors, and are subject to your agreement to their terms and conditions.

All contents copyright (c) Caring Tree Children's Dentistry

All rights reserved, Caring Tree Children's Dentistry makes this website available to all users for the sole purpose of providing educational information on health-related issues.

The accuracy of website, information, and resources identified are not warranted or guaranteed, or intended to be a substitute for professional health advice, to contradict health advice given, or for health care of any kind.

Your use of this website indicates your agreement to be bound by the Terms of Use and you expressly agree to be bound to the foregoing terms and conditions.

All materials on this website, including the site’s design, layout, and organization, are owned and copyrighted by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry, or its suppliers or vendors, and are protected by U.S. and international copyrights.

Material on this site may be used for personal use only. Commercial use of any sort is strictly prohibited.

Use of Resources & Information
This site may not be used as a supplement or alternative for health care, and is not intended and does not warrant or guarantee the quality or quantity of any services of any of the advertisers identified; further, the information provided is merely for educational purposes, and its accuracy is not guaranteed. Do not use this site as a substitute for health care. Please consult with your doctor or other health care provider regarding any health questions you may have. This site may not be used for health diagnosis or treatment. Do not use this site to disregard any health advice, nor to delay seeking health advice, because of something you read or see in this site.

You understand and agree that neither Caring Tree Children's Dentistry nor its suppliers or vendors or linked domain names are responsible or liable for any claim, loss, or damage of any kind, directly or indirectly resulting from your use of this site or the information or the resources contained on or accessible through it.

Caring Tree Children's Dentistry expressly disclaims any implied warranty or representation about the information or accuracy, relevance, completeness, timeliness or appropriateness for any particular purpose of any kind. Your use of this site is also subject to all additional disclaimers that may appear throughout the site.

Other Internet Sites Links
This site also includes links to other internet sites created and maintained by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s suppliers, vendors, affiliates, or subscribers. Be aware that Caring Tree Children's Dentistry does not control, makes no guarantees about, and disclaims any express or implied representations or warranties about the accuracy, relevance, completeness, timeliness or appropriateness for a particular purpose of the information or the resources contained on these or any other internet sites.

Further, the inclusion of these links is merely for your convenience and is not intended and does not reflect Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s opinion on the accuracy or the importance of these other sites; further, Caring Tree Children's Dentistry does not endorse in any manner any of the views expressed in, or products or services offered by these other sites. All information in any site by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry, or associated or linked site, is extracted, read, used, or relied upon by you at your own risk.

Disclaimer of Warranty
Caring Tree Children's Dentistry and its suppliers and vendors disclaim all express or implied representations or warranties regarding the information, services, products, materials, and any other resources contained on or accessible through this site, including without limitation any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. All information provided by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry is made available “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind, or any express or implied promise, including, by way of example, its continuing availability.

Limitation of Liability
With respect to products, goods, or services purchased from any entity identified, listed, named or contacted through Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s website, or any links to Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s website, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall Caring Tree Children's Dentistry or its suppliers or vendors be liable for any direct, indirect, special, punitive, incidental, exemplary, contractual, or consequential damages, or any damages whatsoever of any kind, resulting from any loss, which by way of example, includes loss of use, loss of data, loss of profits, business interruption, litigation, or any other pecuniary loss, whether based on breach of contract, tort (including negligence), product liability, or otherwise, arising out of or in any way connected with the use or performance of this site, with the delay or inability to use this site, or with the provision of or failure to make available any information, services, products, materials, or other resources contained on or accessible through this site, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

You acknowledge and agree that the limitations set forth above are elements of this agreement, and that this site would not be provided to you absent such limitations.

Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Caring Tree Children's Dentistry and its suppliers and vendors from any liability, loss, claim, and expense (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) related to your violation of this agreement or use of this site in any manner. Your use of this site shall constitute your acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, as revised and modified, if any, each time you access this site. Caring Tree Children's Dentistry may modify this agreement at any time, and such modifications shall be effective immediately upon posting of the modified agreement.

Miscellaneous
Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s failure to insist upon strict enforcement of any provision(s) of this agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or right.

This agreement and the resolution of any dispute related to this agreement or this site shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of , without giving effect to any principles or conflicts of law. Any legal action or proceeding between Caring Tree Children's Dentistry or its links, suppliers or vendors and you related to this agreement or this site shall be brought exclusively in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction sitting in , .

Copyright
All materials on this website, including the site’s design, layout, and organization, are owned and copyrighted by Caring Tree Children's Dentistry or its suppliers or vendors, and are protected by U.S. and international copyrights.

Links
This site contains links to other sites. Caring Tree Children's Dentistry is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites that are linked to us.

Questions
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding Caring Tree Children's Dentistry’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, please contact us.

Search
Search the Website

Use keywords in the search box below to find what you're looking for.

Special Offers
New Patient Specials

Please check back often for New Patient Specials.

Offers apply to new patients only. Must mention these coupons at time of appointment. No cash value. Some restrictions apply. Call for details! *In absence of gum disease or decay.

Schedule Appointment

Go to the Top of the Page