If you have teeth missing, having dental implants placed can open the door to a brand-new chapter in your life. Not only will you achieve a smile that you can be proud of, but you’ll also be able to once again eat all the foods you love. One of the many perks of dental implantation is that it has a 95% success rate, but that is greatly dependent on the post-surgery care. Still, you’re wondering can smoking and dental implants co-exist? Continue reading to find out!
What Smoking Can Do to Your Mouth
When you smoke, toxins are released inside your mouth. This can cause dryness that attracts bacteria. With more bacteria present, there is a greater chance of the implant failing.
Here are two other serious issues that smoking and dry mouth can bring about:
- Gum disease – As bacteria accumulate, they can soon settle beneath the gum line to contribute to gum (periodontal) disease, which is the inflammation and infection of the soft tissue. Compromised gum health can cause an implant to fail.
- Gum recession – Unaddressed bacteria accumulation can also lead to gum recession. As the tissue decreases in size, there is less support available for the implant. This can cause it to eventually unseat and fail.
How Smoking Can Interfere with Post-Surgery Healing
After an implant is placed, it can take several months for the treatment site to heal and for the implant to fuse with the jawbone (called osseointegration). Smoking can slow the process down. Furthermore, dry mouth related to smoking can inhibit healing by causing the blood clot (that naturally forms after surgery) to painfully dislodge.
Why You Should be Upfront with Your Oral Surgeon
When talking to your oral surgeon about the dental implant process, it’s important to be open and honest about any tobacco usage. Of course, he or she will remind you of how smoking can potentially jeopardize your results.
Your oral surgeon may be able to provide you with helpful tools for overcoming a smoking habit, such as recommendations for counseling, products and other methods for better lifestyle management. When it comes to all the benefits you stand to gain by having your missing teeth replaced in a healthy manner, it’s well worth the effort. By taking the appropriate actions, you can have your missing teeth replaced with the confidence of knowing that your new smile can last for many years to come!
About the Author
Dr. Cher Rich earned her dental degree from the University of Texas at Houston Dental School. Throughout a career that has spanned over a decade, she has remained steadfast in her commitment to providing her patients with the absolute best in dental care. Thus, Dr. Rich has taken several hours of continuing education. She brightens lives by placing dental implants at her private practice, and she can be reached for more information or to schedule a visit through her website.