Vapers could regain the whiteness of their teeth

A recent study revealed that the dental whiteness index of vapers and heated tobacco users was significantly higher than that of smokers.

Tar, present in cigarette smoke, is a major factor in tooth discoloration. Italian researchers recently published the results of a study aimed at analyzing the impact of switching from traditional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes or heated tobacco on tooth color.

The study involved 89 participants divided into five groups: regular smokers, former smokers, non-smokers, heated tobacco users who had quit smoking, and exclusive vapers who had quit smoking. Tooth color was measured using a digital spectrophotometer, and the results were expressed in terms of the dental whiteness index (WID).

The findings showed that the dental whiteness of smokers was significantly lower than that of non-smokers and former smokers. Vapers and heated tobacco users displayed dental whiteness indices comparable to those of former smokers.

The researchers emphasized that the difference in dental whiteness between electronic cigarette and heated tobacco users compared to regular smokers was visually noticeable. This difference is attributed to a reduction in exposure to pigments associated with tar found in cigarette smoke.

Although this study has limitations, notably due to its small size and cross-sectional design, its results remain encouraging. It is also noted that the former smokers in the study had quit smoking less than two years ago, suggesting that improvement in tooth color can occur relatively quickly after quitting tobacco.

It should be noted that this study was funded by the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World, an organization linked to the cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris International (PMI).