Does Vaping Cause Dry Mouth?

You switched to vaping to get rid of toxic smoke, but now you’re surprised to find yourself experiencing dry mouth — something you used to associate with cigarettes? No worries, you’re not alone. The important thing is you’ve made the right choice.

With vaping, you inhale 95% fewer harmful chemicals than with smoking, and occasional dry mouth is entirely harmless. In this article, we’ll explore why vaping causes dry mouth, how to prevent it, and the effects of vaping on your oral health and overall experience.

Why Does Vaping Cause Dry Mouth and Affect Oral Health?

First of all, it's important to note that the difference between dry mouth from vaping and smoking is significant. Vaping and smoking can both cause dry mouth, but they do so in entirely different ways.

What Causes Dry Mouth When Vaping?

With vaping, the dryness comes from the ingredients in e-liquid — propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG). These substances are humectants, meaning they attract and hold onto water. While this helps create vapour, it can also pull moisture from your mouth and throat when inhaling, leading to a temporary dry sensation. This effect is purely mechanical and temporary and does not damage the salivary glands in any way.

(You can find more detailed information about how vaping affects oral health in the article Can You Vape After Tooth Extraction?)

What Causes Dry Mouth When Smoking?

Smoking, on the other hand, directly reduces saliva production. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, and the heat and toxins from burning tobacco also irritate the mouth and throat, leading to long-term dryness. Over time, smoking can even cause chronic dry mouth (xerostomia), increasing the risk of gum disease, cavities, and bad breath.

So, while vaping and smoking can both leave your mouth feeling dry, the impact is far from the same. Vaping’s dryness is temporary due to moisture absorption, whereas smoking damages your saliva glands and oral health.

How to Stop Dry Mouth from Vaping and Stimulate Saliva Flow

If you’re experiencing dryness from vaping, don’t worry — there are simple ways to fix it:

• Drink more water. Vaping can dehydrate you, so keeping a water bottle nearby is smart.
• Reduce PG-heavy e-liquids. PG is more drying than VG. If your vape juice has a high PG ratio, switching to a higher VG option may help.
• Use a lower nicotine strength. Nicotine itself can contribute to dryness. If you’re stepping down from smoking, consider gradually reducing nicotine levels over time.
• Take breaks between puffs. Chain vaping can increase dryness, so slowing down your sessions can make a difference.
• Try oral hydration products. Sugar-free gum, lozenges, or even special dry mouth sprays can help maintain moisture levels.
• Focus on maintaining oral health. Saliva is crucial in lubricating mouth tissues and removing food particles and bacteria. Reduced saliva can lead to discomfort and hygiene issues, so taking steps to support your oral health is essential.

PRO TIP: Dry mouth from vaping can be caused primarily by nicotine. But since our goal is to help you gradually reduce your nicotine intake through vaping, our e-shop offers a wide range of nicotine-free products as well. Take a look—or better yet, give them a try!

Vaping Dry Lips – What’s the Connection?

If you’ve noticed your lips feeling parched after vaping, it’s likely for the same reason as dry mouth: PG and VG are pulling moisture from your skin. Since your lips are delicate and don’t produce oil like the rest of your skin, they can dry out even faster.

To keep your lips in good shape while vaping:

• Apply a moisturising lip balm regularly. Look for ones with natural ingredients like shea butter or beeswax.
• Stay hydrated — it helps your whole body, including your lips.
• Avoid licking your lips, as it can make dryness worse.

Why Does Vaping Cause a Dry Throat?

A dry or scratchy throat from vaping is common, especially for new vapers. The causes are usually similar to those behind dry mouth or chapped lips. Dryness in the throat can feel even more uncomfortable, but it’s no more harmful. If you’re switching from smoking, your throat is adjusting to a different type of inhalation.

One reason for this dryness is nicotine, especially in salt nicotine e-liquids, which create a stronger throat hit. Another factor is the presence of propylene glycol (PG) in some e-liquids. PG enhances flavour and provides a more pronounced throat hit but can also contribute to irritation.

Lastly, your body is simply adjusting to the absence of cigarette smoke. It may sound strange, but tobacco smoke contains tar and other chemicals that coat the throat, so without them, your throat might feel different for a while.

Nicotine and Dry Mouth – What’s the Link?

As we mentioned, nicotine itself is one of the leading causes of dry mouth while vaping, as it reduces saliva production by constricting blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the gums. But how does this work? When nicotine enters your system, it triggers the release of adrenaline, which then activates the sympathetic nervous system — the part of your body responsible for the “fight or flight” response. This reaction temporarily decreases saliva flow, leading to the dry sensation many vapers and smokers experience. The stronger the nicotine concentration, the more pronounced this effect can be.

Let’s not forget that this happens whether you smoke cigarettes or vape, but the effects are usually milder with vaping. That’s because vaping doesn’t contain the thousands of additional chemicals found in cigarette smoke, some of which further impair saliva production. However, if you’ve switched to vaping and are still experiencing dry mouth, nicotine is likely a factor.

Reducing Nicotine Will Significantly Alleviate Dry Mouth Symptoms

Isn’t this good news? After all, we’re on this journey together to gradually move away from nicotine — ideally, completely. Unlike cigarettes, vaping allows you to reduce nicotine levels over time, and as you do, you may notice a decrease in dryness as well. Many ex-smokers start with higher nicotine strengths to manage cravings but gradually step down, making the transition easier.

This not only helps break nicotine dependence but also reduces its effects on saliva production. Some vapers eventually move to nicotine-free e-liquids, eliminating this issue. So, if dry mouth is bothering you, lowering your nicotine intake could be a simple yet effective way to improve your comfort while continuing your journey away from cigarettes.

Vaper’s Tongue: When Flavour Fatigue Kicks In

When talking about dry mouth and how vaping affects the feeling in your mucous membranes, we must also address one more well-known phenomenon. Have you ever experienced a sudden loss of taste while vaping? If so, you might be dealing with vaper’s tongue, which is flavour fatigue. This temporary condition often occurs when you vape the same flavour continuously or after extended vaping sessions.

Try switching up your e-liquid flavours regularly to combat the vaper's tongue. As we’ve already mentioned, staying hydrated also plays a key role. Drinking plenty of water is crucial in all similar situations, as dehydration can dull your taste perception. Additionally, using a mouthwash or sucking on a lemon can help refresh your taste buds and restore flavour sensitivity.

Relieving Dry Mouth with Hydration and Oral Hygiene

Dealing with dry mouth from vaping? Hydration and good oral hygiene are your best allies. Here’s how you can keep your mouth feeling fresh and comfortable:

• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist and stimulate saliva production.
• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing regularly to remove food particles and bacteria that can worsen dryness.
• Chew sugar-free gum to boost saliva flow and help alleviate dry mouth symptoms naturally.

Staying hydrated and maintaining good oral hygiene allows you to easily manage a dry mouth and enjoy a more comfortable vaping experience.

The Importance of Regular Dental Check-Ups

Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining good oral health, especially for vapers. Vaping can increase the risk of oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Regular visits to your dentist can help identify these problems early and prevent them from becoming more serious. Dentists can also provide personalised advice on maintaining good oral health and alleviating dry mouth symptoms. So, schedule those dental appointments and keep your smile healthy and bright.

How to Choose E-Liquids that Minimise Dry Mouth

We’ve mentioned this before, but you might not have thought it essential. However, choosing the right e-liquids can make a big difference in minimising dry mouth symptoms. E-liquids with higher vegetable glycerin (VG) content tend to dry less than those with more propylene glycol (PG). You can also look for e-liquids with added hydrating ingredients, like citrus extract, to help alleviate dryness.

Additionally, opting for lower nicotine levels can reduce nicotine’s drying effect. By carefully selecting your e-liquids, you can enjoy vaping without the discomfort of dry mouth. In our e-shop, you’ll find a wide selection of e-liquids, which you can choose not only by type and flavour but also by great special offers.