Does Vaping Cause Gum Disease?
Vaping hasn't been proven to cause gum disease, but the evidence is moving in that direction. A study from NYU College of Dentistry found that people who vape carry a mix of gum bacteria and inflammation signals that looks more like a smoker's mouth than a nonsmoker's, and gum health worsened in some vapers over six months. Vaping is not a safe alternative for your gums, and if you vape, your dentist should know.
What did the NYU study do?
Researchers followed 84 adults in three groups: cigarette smokers, e-cigarette users and people who had never smoked. Each person had two gum exams six months apart. At each visit, the team measured gum health, collected plaque from below the gumline to identify the bacteria living there, and measured immune proteins (cytokines) that drive inflammation. [1]
What did it find?
Everyone started with some gum disease. Smokers had the most severe disease, then vapers, then nonsmokers.
Vapers had their own bacterial mix. Their gum bacteria shared many features with smokers' and some with nonsmokers', but formed a distinct community, including higher levels of some bacteria associated with gum disease. [1]
Inflammation looked different. Vapers had different cytokine levels from the other groups, which the researchers interpreted as an altered immune response in the gums. [1]
Gum health worsened in some participants in every group over six months, including several vapers. According to NYU's press release, a companion paper found that loss of gum attachment to the teeth worsened significantly only in the vapers. [2]
What are the limits?
It was small. 84 people is enough to spot patterns, not to settle the question.
Six months is short. Gum disease develops over years.
It is observational. People who vape may differ from nonsmokers in other ways, and some vapers are former smokers.
Vaping products vary widely in nicotine and other ingredients.
Why might vaping affect your gums?
Nicotine narrows blood vessels and can affect how gums respond to infection and heal. E-cigarette aerosol also contains chemicals and flavorings that change the environment of the mouth. The NYU work suggests these changes favor bacteria linked to gum disease. Researchers are still working out the details.
What should you do if you vape?
Tell your dentist. It changes what we look for.
Watch for bleeding gums, recession, bad breath or loose teeth.
Keep up brushing, cleaning between your teeth and regular dental visits.
Consider quitting. For help, talk with your physician or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW, the free national quitline.
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists e-cigarettes among the tobacco products that raise oral cancer risk, so an oral cancer exam matters too. [3]
Where can you get your gums checked in Jacksonville?
A comprehensive dental exam at our office includes a full gum evaluation. For other ways gum health connects to the rest of the body, see can gum disease affect your overall health? To schedule, contact us or call 904-398-1549.
Sources
Thomas SC, Xu F, Pushalkar S, et al. Electronic cigarette use promotes a unique periodontal microbiome. mBio. 2022;13(1):e0007522. doi:10.1128/mbio.00075-22 (retrieved via PubMed)
American Society for Microbiology. Evidence grows for vaping's role in gum disease. Press release, February 2022 (originally issued by NYU College of Dentistry).
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Oral cancer. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
About the author. CJ Henley, DMD, is a general dentist in Jacksonville whose practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, dental implants and dental care around head and neck cancer. Meet Dr. Henley.
CJ Henley, DMD, PA · 3675 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 · 904-398-1549
Updated October 2026.