EVIDENCE GROWS FOR VAPING'S ROLE IN GUM DISEASE: PART II In a recent study researchers analyzed the bacteria found in plaque samples and determined that e-cigarette users have a different oral microbiome from smokers and nonsmokers. While all groups shared roughly a fifth of the types of bacteria, the bacterial makeup for e-cigarette users had strikingly more in common with cigarette smokers than nonsmokers. Several types of bacteria were abundant in both smokers and vapers compared to nonsmokers. Several other bacteria which are known to be associated with gum disease were particularly dominant in the mouths of e-cigarette users. When plaque samples were gathered and analyzed in a six-month follow-up, the researchers found greater diversity in bacteria for all groups studied, yet each group maintained its own distinct microbiome. "Vaping appears to be driving unique patterns in bacteria and influencing the growth of some bacteria in a manner akin to cigarette smoking, but with its own profile and risks to oral health," said Fangxi Xu, the study's co-first author. The researchers found that the distinct microbiome in e-cigarette users was correlated with clinical measures of gum disease and changes to the host immune environment. In particular, vaping was associated with different levels of cytokines - proteins that help regulate the immune system. Certain cytokines are linked to an imbalance in oral bacteria and can worsen gum disease by making people prone to inflammation and infection. The researchers concluded that the distinct oral microbiome of e-cigarette users elicits altered immune responses, which along with clinical markers for gum disease illustrate how vaping presents its own challenge to oral health. SM-CL2 Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 EVIDENCE GROWS FOR VAPING'S ROLE IN GUM DISEASE : PART II In a recent study researchers analyzed the bacteria found in plaque samples and determined that e - cigarette users have a different oral microbiome from smokers and nonsmokers . While all groups shared roughly a fifth of the types of bacteria , the bacterial makeup for e - cigarette users had strikingly more in common with cigarette smokers than nonsmokers . Several types of bacteria were abundant in both smokers and vapers compared to nonsmokers . Several other bacteria which are known to be associated with gum disease were particularly dominant in the mouths of e - cigarette users . When plaque samples were gathered and analyzed in a six - month follow - up , the researchers found greater diversity in bacteria for all groups studied , yet each group maintained its own distinct microbiome . " Vaping appears to be driving unique patterns in bacteria and influencing the growth of some bacteria in a manner akin to cigarette smoking , but with its own profile and risks to oral health , " said Fangxi Xu , the study's co - first author . The researchers found that the distinct microbiome in e - cigarette users was correlated with clinical measures of gum disease and changes to the host immune environment . In particular , vaping was associated with different levels of cytokines - proteins that help regulate the immune system . Certain cytokines are linked to an imbalance in oral bacteria and can worsen gum disease by making people prone to inflammation and infection . The researchers concluded that the distinct oral microbiome of e - cigarette users elicits altered immune responses , which along with clinical markers for gum disease illustrate how vaping presents its own challenge to oral health . SM - CL2 Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554