She wants to warn of the dangets
A woman says vaping left her with two “black” front teeth – after she spent £17.2k on her nine year habit.
Stacey Gardiner, 41, had never smoked before she began vaping in December 2017, and began using an electric vapes before swiftly changing to the disposable version when vapes shops began “popping up” near her.
She would go through five vapes per week – and sometimes use up a standard 600-puff vape in just one day – spending £120-a-month.
She first noticed a black mark at the top of her front right tooth five years ago in August 2021, but it “didn’t occur” to her what was causing it – and it has since progressed to take over the tops of both front teeth.
After she had an emergency dental appointment last year to remove two molars, Stacey says she mentioned her two front teeth to the dentist – who said the damage was likely “down to vaping”.
Stacey has been on the waiting list for her local NHS dentist for over five years, having last had a check-up 10 years ago.
She went “cold turkey” on her habit six months ago after realising it was “just a habit” and “didn’t actually enjoy it”.
She found Nicorette patches prescribed by her GP were not helping and paid £200 for a set of clip in veneers to disguise her damaged teeth.
After getting her “smile back” Stacey does not think there is enough awareness about the damage vapes can cause to teeth and wants to warn “young people” about the potential dangers.
Stacey, a blogger, from Swansea, Wales, said: “It was about four years ago a bit of black started at the top of one tooth.
“I didn’t occur to me what was causing it.
“The vapes cost £8 each and I was going through them, around four to five vapes per week.
“I always cleaned my teeth twice a day, I don’t eat sweets and at first I wasn’t aware what was causing it.
“I’m on a waiting list here in Wales but the chances of getting an NHS dentist are slim.
“It’s noticeable for people to mention it, and I have been asked in the past ‘are they crowns on your teeth?’
“I’ve been told the vapes leave residue around the top of your teeth and gumline.
“That’s what causes the damage.
“The Instasmile veneers mean I’ve finally got my smile back.”
Stacey decided to quit her vape habit six months ago and says she realised she “didn’t actually enjoy it”.
Her GP prescribed her Nicorette patches to help with cravings, but they did not help.
“It was so hard to stop,” Stacey, who originally shared her story with Sell Us Your Story, said.
“I wasn’t addicted to the nicotine I was more so doing it out of habit.
“The standard 600 puff vapes that used to be out would sometimes only last a day.
“With cigarettes you know how much you are smoking I suppose.
“With vaping you’re not really aware just how much you’re doing it.
“In the end it was really hard but I managed to go cold turkey.
“I tried quitting few times and realised it was just a habit – I didn’t actually enjoy it.
“It wasn’t for the nicotine rush or the flavour I just found myself doing it.
Stacey has looked into going privately to solve the issues with her teeth, but worries about the price of treatment.
She said: “I was a dental nurse after I left school and I don’t think crowns would be suitable.
“If they take my two front teeth out and I need a denture, when you factor in what it will need and the price is just ridiculous”.
She was scrolling on social media when she came across the Instasmile clip in veneers, which she purchased for £200 in January 2026.
Stacey had to send 12 different impressions to ensure they were the perfect fit.
“I don’t wear them at home but if I’m going out I’ll pop them in,” she said.
“I didn’t like going out and hated conversing with people.
“With the shape of my mouth when I’m talking it’s really noticeable it’s obviously black.
“In photos I would always pout and never smile, and that was the reason why.”
She believes there is “more focus” on vapes’ being harmful for people’s lungs rather than damage to teeth like hers.
She said: “I don’t think vapes causing damage to teeth, there is enough awareness about that.
“They start vaping younger now.
“If it was a 15-year-old they could be in the same position I’m in by the age of 20, and I don’t think there is enough awareness, like how dangerous the sweetness and residue leaves on teeth”.
Stacey has recently ordered a bottom teeth set of veneers “so it matches” her top set.
NHS Better Health says that vaping “poses a small fraction of the risks of smoking” but also makes clear they are not regulated and we do not know what is in them.
They said: “All products for sale must be notified to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) with detailed information including listing of all ingredients.
“Always buy your vaping products from a reputable supplier like a specialist vape shop, pharmacy, supermarket or a UK-based online retailer so they are covered by UK safety and quality regulations”.
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