Impact of vaping tobacco and cannabis on oral bacteria and fungi
Official title: Effect of aerosolized tobacco and cannabis products on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans interkingdom cariogenicity
Funded at University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10952794 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how vaping tobacco and cannabis might affect the growth of bad germs in the mouth, especially in teens and young adults who are using these products more often, to help understand the potential risks to their oral health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $236,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE034129-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10952794 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents and young adults who use electronic nicotine delivery devices or cannabis products.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use vaping products or are not within the adolescent to young adult age range may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how vaping tobacco and cannabis products affects the growth of harmful oral bacteria and fungi, specifically Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. It focuses on adolescents and young adults, a demographic increasingly using electronic nicotine delivery devices. The study will analyze the differences in effects between pure nicotine and nicotine-containing vape aerosols, as well as the impact of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on these microorganisms. By understanding these interactions, the research aims to shed light on the oral health risks associated with vaping.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better prevention strategies and treatments for dental caries in young people who use vaping products.
How similar studies have gone: While there is emerging evidence regarding the effects of nicotine and THC on oral health, this specific approach focusing on vape aerosols is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lux, Renate — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lux, Renate
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.