e-Cigarettes Are Not Smoke and Mirrors

E-cigarettes look like a smoke and mirrors party trick, but they are a serious nicotine delivery system.

An electronic cigarette uses liquid nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol (an ingredient in antifreeze) instead of tobacco. A small heating device vaporizes the liquid mixture. The "smoker" inhales the vapor. When exhaled, the vapor looks like cigarette smoke, but it quickly dissipates like the steam from a teakettle of boiling water.


The FDA reports that early tests show e-cigarettes contain cancer-causing components. One participant in a university medical school's research reported that liquid nicotine caused a burning sensation at the site of some dental work.

There are too many unknowns about e-cigarettes. 

We know that liquid nicotine prescribed for smoking cessation has risks for pregnant women, anyone taking medications or who has allergies, as well as anyone with a medical condition such as asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. We simply do not yet know if the same is true about the liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes.

Because e-cigarettes have not been thoroughly tested, several countries have banned their sale, and the World Health Organization has objected to false claims that their organization approves and endorses e-cigarettes.

Until we have reliable data about health and safety issues, we recommend that our patients be safe and not use e-cigarettes.

If you use e-cigarettes, it's extremely important to see us twice each year so we can perform an oral cancer exam, check for decay and periodontal disease because we know they increase in people who use nicotine. Also, please tell us that you use e-cigarettes so we can adjust your treatments accordingly.


Houston dentist
Minh Nguyen, D.D.S.