Your mouth is home to billions of bacteria — over 700 species. When the balance between "good" and "bad" bacteria shifts, oral health problems follow. Emerging research shows that vaping alters this balance.
What Studies Have Found
- A 2024 study in Cell Reports Medicine analyzed saliva samples from vapers, smokers, and non-users. Vapers had a distinct microbiome profile — different from both smokers and non-vapers — with higher levels of certain inflammatory bacteria.
- Another study found that vapers had lower bacterial diversity than non-vapers. Lower diversity is generally associated with poorer oral health.
- Some research suggests that PG and flavoring chemicals act like "selective pressure" — killing sensitive bacteria and allowing more resistant (often more pathogenic) bacteria to thrive.
This is a relatively new and fast-moving area of research. We're still learning what these microbiome changes mean for long-term health, but the early picture suggests they're not benign.
Evidence: MODERATE — Studies consistently show that vaping changes the oral microbiome. We're still figuring out the health implications of those changes.
