E-Cigarette Effects on Oral Health: A Molecular Perspective

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have emerged as a potential alternative to traditional smoking and may aid in tobacco harm reduction and smoking cessation. E-cigarette use has notably increased, especially among young non-tobacco users, raising concerns due to the unknown long-term health effects. The oral cavity is the first and one of the most crucial anatomical sites for the deposition of e-cigarette aerosols. E-cigarette aerosols contain nicotine, flavors, volatile organic compounds, heavy metals, carcinogens, and other hazardous substances. These aerosols impact the oral cavity, disrupting host-microbial interactions and triggering gingivitis and systemic diseases. Furthermore, oral inflammation and periodontitis can be caused by proinflammatory cytokines induced by e-cigarette aerosols. The toxic components of e-cigarette aerosols increase the cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, reduce antioxidant capacity, and damage DNA, disrupting repair processes, which may further contribute to harmful effects on oral epithelial, leading to inflammatory and pre-malignant oral epithelial lesions. In this review, we analyze the toxicological properties of compounds in e-cigarette aerosols, exploring their cytotoxic, genotoxic, and inflammatory effects on oral health and delving into the underlying molecular mechanisms. Further research is essential to understand the impact of e-cigarettes on oral health and make informed regulatory decisions based on reliable scientific evidence. [Display omitted] •Addressing the potential role of individual e-cigarette aerosol constituents in the development of oral diseases.•Highlight the effects of e-cigarette use on human oral cells and oral pathology within the oral cavity of users.•Highlight the effects of e-cigarettes on oxidative stress, genotoxicity, cytotoxicity, inflammation, the immune system, and oral biome.•Providing the mechanisms by which e-cigarettes may contribute to the development of oral diseases.