Surgeon General Report: E-Cigarette Use Is A “Major Public Health Concern.”

The ADA News reports that the US Surgeon General said in areport released Dec. 7 that e-cigarette use among youth has been increasing in recent years at an “alarming rate,” and public health professionals, parents, and others must work together to address it. “All Americans need to know that e-cigarettes are dangerous to youth and young adults,” said US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in a news release about the report. “We need parents, teachers, health care providers and other influencers to help make it clear that e-cigarettes contain harmful chemicals and are not okay for kids to use.”

        The surgeon general’s office also in December launched a new, consumer friendly website, E-cigarettes. SurgeonGeneral.gov, aimed at educating parent and adult influencers of young people about e-cigarette use.

Study Suggests E-Cigarettes May Be Just As Damaging To Teeth And Gums

CBS News reported on its website in continuing coverage that “electronic cigarettes could be as harmful to gums and teeth as regular cigarettes are,” a new study published in Oncotarget suggests. “We showed that when the vapors from an e-cigarette are burned, it causes cells to release inflammatory proteins,” said study leader Irfan Rahman. These, in turn, “aggravate stress within cells, resulting in damage that could lead to various oral diseases.”

Dentists Can Play A Role In Helping Patients Quit Smoking

Noting that the American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout is Nov. 17, the ADA News (11/14, Manchir) reports that “dentists can talk with their patients about tobacco abuse, which is the number one cause of preventable death and disease in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” Dentists and dental hygienists have a unique opportunity to address tobacco use with their patients, according to Dr. Scott Tomar, professor and interim chair of the department of community dentistry and behavioral science at the University of Florida College of Dentistry. “Dentists can ask their patients for permission to discuss their tobacco use and ask their patients how tobacco fits into their lives,” Dr. Tomar said. “Our goal is to have patients articulate why they want to quit, and then work with them to move them toward taking action.”

        The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers resources for dentists to help patients quit smoking, including videos, fact sheets, and handouts. Dentists can also refer their patients to the ADA’s consumer-friendly website, MouthHealthy.org, for information about oral health and tobacco.