Vaping, Grinding Teeth, and Depression

Triple Bristle customer Colton said:

Hey Max!! 

I have periodontitis, and history of root canals. My teeth are straight enough I never got braces. 

So my questions are: 

What does vaping do to your dental health?

 What does grinding your teeth at night do to your dental health? 

Any tips for better streamlining dental health for someone with ADHD, depression? 

First of all, thanks for sharing some of your dental history. There’s a lot to unpack here, so let’s begin with your first question about vaping. 

Vaping, like smoking, can dry the mouth.

It might not seem like more than a mild discomfort, however, it can have lasting consequences since a dry mouth also increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.  

In addition…

Just like smoking, vaping can also cause damage to your gums, cheeks, and tongue, and increase your risk of developing certain cancers.

You might not know this about me, but I also have a tendency to grind my teeth. 

It’s important you treat this because, if you don’t, your teeth will wear down and flatten. 

Besides damaging your teeth, causing pain, potential tooth fracture, headache, and TMJ…

You also risk overloading your chewing muscles, making eating less pleasant, and potentially giving you neck pain. 

I’ll also add, if your grinding is severe, your jaw joint can suffer arthritic changes that can inhibit chewing and restrict your range of motion. 

Here’s my advice for streamlining your health. 

Similar to vaping, ADHD and depression medication can severely dry the mouth and make you prone to tooth decay.  

I would recommend stocking up on some high-quality xylitol mints to help increase your salivary flow during the day and after meals. Do this with your regular brushing and flossing and…  

Get yourself a quality night guard to protect both your teeth and your dental restorations from grinding.  

Finally, visit your dental hygienist and always opt for the fluoride after the cleaning.