While cigarettes and cigars continue to remain popular among those who choose to smoke, vaping is quickly gaining traction, especially among younger individuals. Although the myth that it is “cool” and “harmless” circulates among various demographics, the truth is it can pose a great danger to a person’s oral and overall health. To learn how you can help someone kick the habit, read on to discover how your dental assistant classes can provide the information and tools you need to help patients overcome this harmful addiction.
What Exactly is “Vaping?”
Vaping, also known as e-cigarettes, is considered an alternative to traditional cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. Using a liquid that typically contains nicotine, it is placed into a device that heats the substance and turns it into an aerosol, which is then inhaled. Many companies who specialize in vaping sell flavored liquids to entice users, but the nicotine found within these solutions are highly addictive and can lead to lung damage.
How Can Vaping Negatively Impact Oral Health?
Much like regular cigarettes can cause stains, dry mouth, and increase your risk for gum disease, vaping can cause many of the same problems as well as:
- Increased bacteria that can lead to tooth decay, cavities, gum disease, and bad breath
- Swollen gums
- Soft tissue irritation
Although the research is still in progress, most experts agree that vaping is not a healthier alternative to cigarettes, and these devices can cause serious harm to an individual’s mouth, lungs, and overall health and wellbeing.
How Can Dental Assistants Help?
While enrolled in dental assisting school, you will spend ample time learning about the value of patient education and infection control. Helping individuals understand why their oral health is important is part of the job and although teaching them how to brush, floss, and rinse correctly is paramount, so is the need to kick certain habits and adopt healthier ones.
Dental assistants spend more time with patients than hygienists or even the dentist. As a result, you have the ability to influence and encourage those who come in for regular treatment on a greater scale. If your dental office cares for teens, there’s no better time than to begin the discussion with this age group. They are often prone to giving in to peer pressure; however, by serving as another voice to remind them of the dangers of nicotine and its impact on their health, you may be able to sway them from continuing or even considering this harmful habit.
About Dental Assistant Pro
For more than 25 years, Dental Assistant Pro has been providing aspiring dental assistants with essential knowledge and hands-on skills learning. Our philosophy is the best dental assisting training should be taught in a dental office at an affordable cost, so why not take a chance and enroll in our 10-week course schedule? It’s now more affordable than ever to become a dental assistant! To learn more about us, visit our website or call (513) 515-6611.
