Michael Kannes
31/03/2025 • 5 min read
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.
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.
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.
Browse all e-liquids(You can find more detailed information about how vaping affects oral health in the article Can You Vape After Tooth Extraction?)
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.
If you’re experiencing dryness from vaping, don’t worry — there are simple ways to fix it:
Shop nicotine-free productsPRO 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!
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:
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.
Shop nic-salt e-liquidsAs 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.
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.
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.
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:
Staying hydrated and maintaining good oral hygiene allows you to easily manage a dry mouth and enjoy a more comfortable vaping experience.
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.
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.
