The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionSmoking and the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are common practices that have significant consequences for oral health. Although the negative impact of traditional tobacco products on oral tissues is widely known, the emergence of e-cigs poses a new obstacle. This review summarise...

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Main Authors: Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh, Sara Alizadehgharib, Guglielmo Campus, Peter Lingström
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Oral Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1569806/full
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author Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Sara Alizadehgharib
Guglielmo Campus
Peter Lingström
author_facet Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Sara Alizadehgharib
Guglielmo Campus
Peter Lingström
author_sort Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionSmoking and the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are common practices that have significant consequences for oral health. Although the negative impact of traditional tobacco products on oral tissues is widely known, the emergence of e-cigs poses a new obstacle. This review summarises existing data on the influence of e-cigs on oral health, with a specific emphasis on dental caries and pro-inflammatory agents.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus to identify relevant studies published until September 2024. The structured search strategy uncovered 42 articles that were read in full text. The included articles consisted of clinical trials, observational studies, and laboratory investigations that examined the impact of e-cig aerosol on oral bacteria and pro-inflammatory markers and its potential to contribute to dental caries.ResultsThe findings indicate that e-cig users may have a higher prevalence of dental caries compared with non-smokers. Most studies focusing on bacteria showed that vaping may inhibit normal flora, giving cariogenic bacteria a chance to grow more. This finding indicates a notable oral health risk associated with vaping. Meta-analyses suggest no effect of using e-cigs on the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in saliva, even if it may affect their levels in GCF. However, in GCF, only one study reported TNF-α and IL-1β, and only two studies reported IL-6 and IL-8. Nevertheless, the effects of e-cigs on dental caries require further investigation since the data do not provide a clear picture.DiscussionThis review emphasises the necessity for ongoing research to clarify the mechanisms that cause these consequences and to guide public health policies aimed at reducing the harm caused by e-cigarettes.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024537910, PROSPERO (CRD42024537910).
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spelling doaj-art-e3cc3d3ac3504f3fb52af15d62d7eaa12025-08-20T03:09:11ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Oral Health2673-48422025-04-01610.3389/froh.2025.15698061569806The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysisAbedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh0Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh1Sara Alizadehgharib2Guglielmo Campus3Peter Lingström4Department of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Applied Dental Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, JordanDepartment of Oral Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenDepartment of Cariology, Institute of Odontology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, SwedenIntroductionSmoking and the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are common practices that have significant consequences for oral health. Although the negative impact of traditional tobacco products on oral tissues is widely known, the emergence of e-cigs poses a new obstacle. This review summarises existing data on the influence of e-cigs on oral health, with a specific emphasis on dental caries and pro-inflammatory agents.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted via PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus to identify relevant studies published until September 2024. The structured search strategy uncovered 42 articles that were read in full text. The included articles consisted of clinical trials, observational studies, and laboratory investigations that examined the impact of e-cig aerosol on oral bacteria and pro-inflammatory markers and its potential to contribute to dental caries.ResultsThe findings indicate that e-cig users may have a higher prevalence of dental caries compared with non-smokers. Most studies focusing on bacteria showed that vaping may inhibit normal flora, giving cariogenic bacteria a chance to grow more. This finding indicates a notable oral health risk associated with vaping. Meta-analyses suggest no effect of using e-cigs on the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 in saliva, even if it may affect their levels in GCF. However, in GCF, only one study reported TNF-α and IL-1β, and only two studies reported IL-6 and IL-8. Nevertheless, the effects of e-cigs on dental caries require further investigation since the data do not provide a clear picture.DiscussionThis review emphasises the necessity for ongoing research to clarify the mechanisms that cause these consequences and to guide public health policies aimed at reducing the harm caused by e-cigarettes.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024537910, PROSPERO (CRD42024537910).https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1569806/fulldental cariese-cigaretteselectronic smokingproinflammatory markersvaping
spellingShingle Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Abedelmalek Kalefh Tabnjh
Sara Alizadehgharib
Guglielmo Campus
Peter Lingström
The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frontiers in Oral Health
dental caries
e-cigarettes
electronic smoking
proinflammatory markers
vaping
title The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_fullStr The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_full_unstemmed The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_short The effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers: a systematic review and meta-analysis
title_sort effects of electronic smoking on dental caries and proinflammatory markers a systematic review and meta analysis
topic dental caries
e-cigarettes
electronic smoking
proinflammatory markers
vaping
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/froh.2025.1569806/full
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