I totally relate about the fruity flavors making your mouth feel raw...I had something similar happen when I first got braces. I was vaping fruity stuff pretty regularly and started noticing my gums getting irritated and sore. Honestly, it freaked me out a bit because I'd just gotten braces and didn't want to mess anything up. My orthodontist explained how acidic flavors can really irritate sensitive gums and teeth, especially if you're already dealing with dental work. I switched to milder flavors and cut back overall, and after a few weeks things calmed down a lot. It wasn't easy at first—felt kinda weird without my usual go-to flavors—but it definitely made a difference in comfort. Just wanted to say you're not alone in this, and it's good you're paying attention to how your mouth feels...trust me, it'll help in the long run. Hang in there.
Glad you're paying attention to this stuff. As someone who works in dental care, I see this more than you'd think. Fruity and citrusy vape flavors are notorious for causing irritation because they're often pretty acidic. And when you've got braces or any kind of dental work going on, your gums and teeth are already sensitive, so adding acidity into the mix can make things uncomfortable real quick.
I remember one patient who came in with irritated gums and sore spots all around their brackets. At first we thought it was just typical adjustment soreness, but after chatting a bit, turns out they were vaping strong fruity flavors multiple times a day. Once they dialed it back and switched to less acidic flavors (like vanilla or more neutral options), the irritation settled down noticeably.
It's great you caught this early on before it became a bigger issue. Even if it's tough at first to switch up your routine—especially if you're used to certain flavors—your mouth will thank you later for sure. Also, don't underestimate drinking plenty of water after vaping; it helps rinse away some of that acidity and keeps your mouth hydrated, which can ease discomfort.
If things don't improve or you notice persistent irritation, definitely check back in with your orthodontist or dentist. Sometimes minor adjustments in oral hygiene routines or even special rinses can help soothe things down while you're adjusting.
Anyway, good on ya for being proactive about this...your smile's worth it!
I had a similar experience when I got my braces tightened—my gums were super irritated and I couldn't figure out why. Turns out vaping sour apple flavor was making things way worse. Switched to something mellow (like caramel) and made sure to rinse with water after, and the irritation calmed down pretty quickly. Definitely worth paying attention to flavor choices if your mouth's already sensitive...wish I'd known sooner!
"Switched to something mellow (like caramel) and made sure to rinse with water after, and the irritation calmed down pretty quickly."
Interesting you mention caramel flavor being gentler—I actually found the opposite. When I had my dental implants done, caramel-flavored vape seemed to leave a sugary residue that irritated my gums even more. My dentist explained that sweeter flavors can sometimes linger and feed bacteria, causing inflammation. I switched to unflavored for a while, and that made a noticeable difference. Guess everyone's mouth reacts differently...
Funny you mention caramel—I had a similar experience but with vanilla. After getting my wisdom teeth pulled, I figured I'd stick to "safe" vape flavors like vanilla or cream, thinking they'd be gentle... Nope. Turns out they left my mouth feeling sticky and weirdly coated, almost like I'd been eating candy all day. My dentist gave me the same spiel about sugary residue and bacteria, which honestly made sense once I thought about it (though I wasn't thrilled hearing it mid-procedure while half-numb).
I ended up switching to a minty flavor for a bit—it seemed cleaner somehow, and rinsing afterward definitely helped. Guess it's one of those weird "your mileage may vary" situations...
Totally true—guess we're all dental snowflakes in our own special way, lol."Guess everyone's mouth reacts differently..."
