Charlie Jin Woo Park and Douglas Walke, University of Wisconsin, USA

The purpose of this literature review is to investigate the effects of e-cigarettes on oral health in young adults, highlighting the considerable risks associated with tobacco smoking, such as oral cancer and periodontitis. E-cigarettes first gained popularity in 2006 and are now used by over 40 million people worldwide; however, their impact on oral health and whether they have similar oral health risks as traditional tobacco products is not well understood. This study consolidates findings from basic science, microbiology, clinical research, and epidemiological studies to investigate potential oral health consequences of e-cigarette use. It also highlights the crucial role of dental professionals in educating patients and advocating for tobacco cessation, despite the challenges introduced by the novelty of e-cigarettes and existing research biases. For this study, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed to identify studies focused on tobacco smoking and vaping and its influence on dental health of young adults aged 20 to 30. Initially, 30,000 papers were found, and after filtering, 14 relevant studies were included in the review. The studies reviewed indicates a correlation between vaping and an increased risk of dental caries. It points out the urgent need for more comprehensive studies to understand the long-term effects of vaping on oral health. While traditional tobacco use's negative impact on oral health is well-documented, this review underscores that e-cigarettes also pose significant risks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research and education in the dental community to navigate the evolving landscape of tobacco use and its implications for oral health.

E-cigarettes, Tobacco products, Oral health, Young adults, Oral cancer, Periodontitis, Dental caries, Gum disease, Vaping, Smoking, Dental health, Nicotine, Dental professionals, Tobacco cessation