If you’ve heard that vaping is a safer alternative to smoking, you might assume your mouth is getting a break when you make the switch. Unfortunately, that’s not necessarily the case. While researchers are still studying the long-term effects of vaping, there’s already evidence that e-cigarettes can negatively affect your teeth and gums.

Vaping doesn’t simply produce harmless water vapor. E-cigarettes create an aerosol that can contain nicotine, flavorings, chemicals, heavy metals, and other substances that may affect your oral tissues. The American Dental Association cautions that more research is needed, but it recognizes significant oral health concerns associated with nicotine-containing products.