Deciphering the Unspoken Narratives: E-Cigarette & Vape User’s Silent Struggles with Oral Health

Abstract

Background: The rise in e-cigarette and vape use, particularly among young adults, has been accompanied by growing concerns over their health implications. While these products are often perceived as safer alternatives to conventional tobacco, their impact on oral health remains insufficiently studied and frequently underreported by users in clinical settings. Objective: This study aimed to investigate self-reported oral health symptoms among e-cigarette and vape users, assess their awareness of associated risks, and explore behavioral and disclosure patterns that may hinder preventive dental care. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from January to March 2025 using an online questionnaire completed by 43 participants aged 18–38 in Pakistan. The survey collected demographic data, vaping habits, oral health symptoms, awareness levels, and disclosure behaviors. Descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS v25 to identify associations and predictors. Results: Among the participants, 90.7% were current e-cigarette users, and 67.4% were aware of vaping-related oral health risks. Commonly reported symptoms included bad breath (14.0%), dry mouth (9.3%), and mouth ulcers (9.3%). Awareness was significantly associated with greater symptom recognition (OR=5.6, 95% CI: 2.4–13.1) and increased likelihood of considering cessation (p=0.035). However, 58.1% had not informed their dentist about vaping. Conclusion: Awareness of vaping’s oral health risks enhances symptom recognition and motivates cessation contemplation, yet disclosure gaps persist. Dental professionals should routinely assess vaping habits to improve early intervention and risk communication.