EVIDENCE GROWS FOR VAPING'S ROLE IN GUM DISEASE: PARTI A series of new studies highlights how e-cigarettes alter oral health and may be contributing to gum disease. The latest study finds that e-cigarette users have a unique oral microbiome - the community of bacteria and other microorganisms - that is less healthy than that of nonsmokers but potentially healthier than cigarette smokers, and measures worsening gum disease over time. Gum disease affects nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 years of age. Smoking cigarettes is a known risk factor for developing gum disease, but less is known about the impact of e-cigarettes - which vaporize nicotine and other chemicals on oral health, especially the long-term consequences of vaping. The researchers studied the oral health of 84 adults from three groups: cigarette smokers, e-cigarettes users, and people who have never smoked. Gum disease was assessed through two dental exams six months apart, during which plaque samples were taken to analyze the bacteria present. All participants had some gum disease at the start of the study, with cigarette smokers having the most severe disease, followed by e-cigarette users. After six months, the researchers observed that gum disease had worsened in some participants in each group, including several e-cigarette users. A key indicator of gum disease is clinical attachment loss, measured by gum ligament and tissue separating from a tooth's surface, leading the gum to recede and form pockets. These pockets are breeding grounds for bacteria and can lead to more severe gum disease. In a study of the same participants the research team found that clinical attachment loss was significantly worse only in the e-cigarette smokers - not non- smokers and cigarette smokers - after six months. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM-CL2072319 EVIDENCE GROWS FOR VAPING'S ROLE IN GUM DISEASE : PARTI A series of new studies highlights how e - cigarettes alter oral health and may be contributing to gum disease . The latest study finds that e - cigarette users have a unique oral microbiome - the community of bacteria and other microorganisms - that is less healthy than that of nonsmokers but potentially healthier than cigarette smokers , and measures worsening gum disease over time . Gum disease affects nearly half of U.S. adults over 30 years of age . Smoking cigarettes is a known risk factor for developing gum disease , but less is known about the impact of e - cigarettes - which vaporize nicotine and other chemicals on oral health , especially the long - term consequences of vaping . The researchers studied the oral health of 84 adults from three groups : cigarette smokers , e - cigarettes users , and people who have never smoked . Gum disease was assessed through two dental exams six months apart , during which plaque samples were taken to analyze the bacteria present . All participants had some gum disease at the start of the study , with cigarette smokers having the most severe disease , followed by e - cigarette users . After six months , the researchers observed that gum disease had worsened in some participants in each group , including several e - cigarette users . A key indicator of gum disease is clinical attachment loss , measured by gum ligament and tissue separating from a tooth's surface , leading the gum to recede and form pockets . These pockets are breeding grounds for bacteria and can lead to more severe gum disease . In a study of the same participants the research team found that clinical attachment loss was significantly worse only in the e - cigarette smokers - not non smokers and cigarette smokers - after six months . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554 SM - CL2072319