Alert! The Journal of Science has found that e-cigarettes alter oral bacteria, leading to gum disease or oral cancer.

, June 30, 2020 /PRNewswire/
-- E-cigarettes are a popular alternative to smoking, but we still know little about its health effectsWhile many studies have explored the effects of e-cigarettes on our lungs, heart and overall health, an important but often overlooked question is how they affect our microbiomeBut a recent study found that e-cigarettes alter bacteria in our mouthsIf left unchecked, thesechanges in theof bacteria can lead to diseaseour microbiome is a community ofbacteria
, fungi, and viruses that keep us healthyWe often hear about our gut microbiome, but the oral microbiome may be equally important to our overall healthIt is the second most diverse microbiome after the gut and home to more than 1,000 microbesIt is the intake for other parts of our digestive system and plays a key role in helping us break down foodPhoto Source: Science Advances
The microbiome in our mouths also prevents the reproduction of potentially harmful microorganismsHealthy oral microbes can reduce the chance of infection or disease a recent study of the effects of e-cigarettes on the oral microbiome found that e-cigarettes have a negative impact on the diversity of bacteria They can also cause an immune response from cells, leading to long-term damage to surrounding cells the microbes in our mouths are not only the first to come into contact with e-cigarette smoke, they are also exposed to high concentrations of chemicals This can be said to be the human microorganisms that make them most likely to experience the negative effects of e-cigarettes Changes in the microbial balance of the oral can lead to serious diseases such as tooth decay and gum disease, or to our vulnerability to local diseases of the gums, which can lead to heart disease, respiratory infections, or fatal systemic infections, such as sepsis Some of these infections and diseases are also associated with oral cancer in the study, 123 participants were divided into five groups: smokers, nonsmokers, e-cigarette users, former smokers who were using e-cigarettes, and people who used both The team collected dental plaque samples to learn more about microbes and their genes, as well as fluids in the gums, to understand how the body reacts to these microorganisms They also developed bacteria in the lab that are exposed to cigarette smoke and e-cigarette vapor changes in bacterial studies have found that those who use e-cigarettes have very similar microbial species, suggesting that e-cigarettes play a role in the formation and presence of the microbiome However, there are some significant differences between the smoker group, the non-smoker group and the e-cigarette group, all with unique oral microbiomes when they looked at a group of people who switched from smoking to smoking e-cigarettes, they found that their microbiome was very similar, but still very different from non-smokers Although the study did not specify which bacterial species were affected, overall, even small changes in healthy bacteria could have negative effects Gram-negative
bacteria, commonly considered "harmful microorganisms," common among smokers and e-cigarette users the team studied in the lab to see how e-cigarette vapor and cigarette smoke affected the growth of bacteria They found that e-cigarette vapors (containing or without nicotine) can change the way bacteria grow, increasing the volume and coverage of bacteria , which can lead to infection if left untreated researchers also found that the oral microbes of e-cigarette volunteers had genes that cause biofilm growth, such as plaque Biofilms make microorganisms more resilient to drugs, toxic compounds and the immune system This suggests that the vapor of e-cigarettes causes a stress response from oral microorganisms photo source: Science Advances
When stressed, microbes activate their "fight or escape" genes, allowing them to better survive in harsh environments They destroy other cells by making special enzymes so that microbes can take advantage of their nutrients and gain more breeding space This leads to more inflammatory cycles, leading to stronger stress responses from other cells However, if we fail to remove these stressmicros, this persistent, long-term inflammation can lead to serious illness study also found that e-cigarette users had significantly higher levels of immune cell response chemicals than nonsmokers E-cigarette users also have low levels of chemicals that prevent stress reactions the presence of various microorganisms is essential for a healthy mouth, a healthy body and a healthy person But according to the study, the use of e-cigarettes not only has a negative impact on the number and variety of oral microbes, but also on the behavior of microbes and our body's response Other studies have made similar findings While more research on the health effects of e-cigarettes is needed, current evidence suggests that discarding e-cigarettes may be best for our overall health (BioValleyBioon.com) References: E-cigarettes found to the cause change in mouth bacteria, whats lead to gum disease or the disease--
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Oral Bacteria colonize and competition with gut microbiota in gnotobiotic mice
Oral microbiome: the fundamentals
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