Is your highschooler Juuling?
Believe me it is hard to keep up with all the things our kids face on a daily basis! The other day I was reading one of my dental journals and they were discussing “Juuling”- I had no idea what this was and was surprised to learn it is a new form of vaping. The problem with “Juuling” is that it typically has twice the amount of nicotine than similar devices.
- Studies indicate that nicotine does cause recession of the gums. Because it reduces that blood flow that passes through the veins, nicotine helps to deprive the gums of crucial nutrients and oxygen necessary for optimal health. Over time, that can cause gum tissue to wither and die.
- There is also evidence that nicotine can be a contributing factor in conditions like periodontitis and gingivitis..
- Dentists have also complained that nicotine delivery via vaping may be masking many of the symptoms that they would otherwise use to identify the presence of gum disease in their patients. That’s due to that reduced flow of blood and the fact that gum disease’s most obvious symptom is the increased presence of blood in the gums. By suppressing that symptom, some patients may not get the early detection they need.
- Nicotine has also been identified as a muscle stimulant, which can cause teeth grinders to intensify that harmful activity.
- Although not necessarily relevant to oral hygiene, smoking is obviously related to coughing, known as smokers cough.
Studies are also showing that “Juuling” is more addictive when started at an early age. We suggest talking to your kids about this new trend and we would be happy to address any concerns you may have- just give us a call!