The effects of vaping electronic cigarettes on periodontitis

Background Electronic cigarettes (E‐cigs) have been gaining popularity, increasingly used to help reduce or cease smoking traditional cigarettes (T‐cigs). Although E‐cigs are considered a far less harmful alternative to T‐cigs, there is not enough information regarding the effects of vaping E‐cigs on periodontal health. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of vaping E‐cigs, smoking T‐cigs and smoking cessation on oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory cytokines levels and periodontal clinical parameters in patients with periodontitis. Methods The study included a total of 57 individuals who were divided into three groups: T‐cig smokers (Group I, n = 19), E‐cig vapers (Group II, n = 19) and former smokers (Group III, n = 19). Full‐mouth clinical periodontal parameters were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected. Results The mean interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) level of Group I (70.47 ± 2.76) was significantly lower than in Groups II and III. The mean tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) level of Group I (4.20 ± 0.14) was significantly higher than in Groups II and III. Conclusions T‐cigs and vaping E‐cigs had the same unfavourable effects on the markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.