Oral mucosal lesions in electronic cigarettes consumers versus former smokers

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study investigating the oral mucosal lesions (OMLs) in electronic cigarette (EC) consumers compared to former smokers. The study aims to contribute to the understanding of the potential health effects of EC use on the oral mucosa.

Key points:

* The study is a prospective case-control study of 90 patients, 45 former smokers and 45 EC consumers.
* OMLs were detected in 55 cases, with a higher prevalence in EC consumers (65.4%) compared to former smokers (34.6%).
* Nicotine stomatitis, hairy tongue, and angular cheilitis were significantly more common among EC consumers.
* No statistically significant differences were found in terms of total prevalence of OMLs between former smokers and EC consumers.
* The study suggests that former smokers have a lower incidence of melanosis as the cessation of tobacco usage can be sufficient in reducing or eliminating the pigmentation.
* Emissions from ECs may contain fine particles of flavors, aroma transporters, glycerol, propylene glycol, nicotine, trace amounts of carcinogens, heavy metals, and other chemicals.
* The mucosal changes may also arise from other factors such as mucosal drying effects, high intraoral temperatures, intraoral pH changes, local alteration of membrane barriers and immune responses, or altered resistance to fungal and viral infections.

Main message:
The study suggests that the use of ECs is linked to three types of inflammatory lesions in the oral cavity. However, there were no statistically significant differences in terms of total prevalence of OMLs between former smokers and EC consumers. The findings highlight the need for further research to evaluate the risk for OMLs resulting from EC habits, as the long-term health effects of EC use are still not fully understood.

Bardellini, Elena, Francesca Amadori, Giulio Conti, and Alessandra Majorana. “Oral Mucosal Lesions in Electronic Cigarettes Consumers versus Former Smokers.” Acta Odontologica Scandinavica 76, no. 3 (April 3, 2018): 226–28. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016357.2017.1406613.