Tobacco, Alcohol, and Vaping: Integrated Strategies for Oral Cancer and Periodontal Disease Prevention

Oral health research increasingly explores the intersection of behavioral exposures and disease, particularly with the sustained threat of oral cancer and periodontal disease globally. Traditional risk factors, such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, have long been established as significant contributors to these oral pathologies. However, the landscape of exposure has rapidly evolved with the proliferation of e-cigarettes and vaping products—often co-used with tobacco and alcohol—challenging established prevention paradigms. Recent studies have begun to unravel the biological and behavioral consequences of vaping, including its effects on oral epithelial integrity and the oral microbiome, but many questions remain about the compounded risks of poly-use, the health impact of newer product formulations, and the role of psychosocial and marketing influences in driving uptake. Despite advancements, research remains fragmented: models often focus on single exposures, while the real-world context is dynamic and multifactorial. This complexity limits the effectiveness of current prevention strategies, and evidence to guide actionable, integrated interventions, especially tailored for diverse populations, is critically needed.This Research Topic aims to synthesize and advance current knowledge by fostering multidisciplinary research that bridges basic science, clinical practice, and public health approaches in oral cancer and periodontal disease prevention. Key objectives include unraveling the mechanisms by which vaping—alone and in combination with tobacco and alcohol—affects oral tissues and disease risk, clarifying the impact of cumulative and synergistic exposures, and evaluating how social and regulatory environments influence patterns of use and cessation. The goal is to promote research that translates into pragmatic preventive frameworks, spanning screening, risk communication, environmental and behavioral interventions, and policy development. By supporting studies that integrate exposure assessment with mechanistic, epidemiological, and implementation science perspectives, the aim is also to encourage actionable insights suitable for dental clinics, public health settings, and community-based programs.This Research Topic will focus on integrated, prevention-oriented investigation at the intersection of tobacco, alcohol, and vaping exposures with oral cancer and periodontal disease outcomes, without limiting the diversity of approaches or studied populations. Articles can explore mechanistic, clinical, epidemiological, behavioral, implementation, and policy dimensions.We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Synergistic and combined effects of tobacco, alcohol, and vaping on oral cancer risk and periodontal outcomes• Biological mechanisms underlying exposure: epithelial dysregulation, oxidative stress, immune modulation, DNA damage, and carcinogenesis• The oral microbiome and mycobiome in the context of single and combined exposures; links to inflammation and tissue breakdown• Early detection and biomarkers: salivary and crevicular markers, imaging, AI-based risk prediction, and screening innovations• Epidemiology of exposure: device/product characteristics, flavors, nicotine concentration, and dose–response in dual and poly-use populations• Shared pathways and mediators linking periodontitis and oral cancer under overlapping exposures• Best practices in cessation, harm reduction, and behavioral interventions in dental and community settings• Scaling and implementing prevention programs across clinical, community, and low-resource environments• Health equity: addressing disparities by demographic and socioeconomic factors; culturally tailored interventions• Impacts of policy and regulation (marketing, flavor bans, age restrictions, labeling) on oral health outcomes• Methodological advances: exposure metrics for vaping and poly-use, reporting standards, and laboratory models relevant to oral tissues Topic editors: Amit Reche, Vini Mehta Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/76901/tobacco-alcohol-and-vaping-integrated-strategies-for-oral-cancer-and-periodontal-disease-prevention