Dental implants offer an amazing look, exceptional feel, and improved tooth function for millions of patients around the world. However, despite the fact that they are permanent and strong, these benefits can be erased by unhealthy habits like smoking. Continue reading to learn about the many ways smoking can harm your oral health, as well as the success of your dental implants.
According to numerous dental health studies, tobacco use causes many dangerous problems like periodontal disease, peri-implantitis, bone and tissue loss, edentulism (loss of one or more teeth), and complete dental implant failure. Here is why cigarettes are so dangerous to your teeth and mouth:
Simply put, nicotine, one of the main ingredients in tobacco, reduces blood flow in and around the mouth. As a result, unhealthy tissues begin developing in the gums, teeth and other oral tissues. Smoking also prevents proper healing and causes the mouth to form an unhealthy pH balance.
Research has consistently shown that cigarette smoking causes a higher risk of periodontitis. Periodontitis is a dangerous and painful condition that causes tissues in and around the gums to swell, bleed, and be extra sensitive to pain. Tooth loss often results if this condition is left untreated. Smokers are also three times more likely to develop this problem.
Healthy, strong, and dense gum and jawbone tissues are necessary for a healthy bite, as well as the dental implants procedure. Because there is a direct link between oral tissue loss and smoking, smokers can have more problems with dental implants and many dentists do not recommend dental implants for smokers. Additionally, since smoking also causes measurable bone loss over time, it can both prevent dental implants from healing properly and cause major problems in the future.
Tooth loss, or edentulism, can also be a significant problem for smokers. This means that if you smoke, you will likely lose more teeth and have more issues with root stability around teeth. Moreover, these patients are often the first to need dental implants.
Dental implants are resistant to tooth decay, but one of the major problems that can affect them is peri-implantitis. Peri-Implantitis is a potentially dangerous problem where mucosal pockets and inflammation form around dental implants. Smokers have a much greater risk of developing peri-implantitis, and, if left untreated, peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure.
Recent studies have also shown that smoking can lead to increased chances of dental implant failure. This may mean costly procedures to fix the problems, reinsertion of fixtures, or complete removal of implants altogether. Why would you risk the expense and pain of a procedure only to throw it all away for a few cigarettes?
Many proponents of e-cigarettes claim that they are safer because they don’t contain tobacco. However, it is more than just the tobacco that causes cancer. Conventional cigarettes usually contain dozens of harmful chemicals and e-cigarettes have many of these same chemicals.
Nicotine is found in both conventional and e-cigarettes. Unfortunately, this chemical is both addictive and it reduces healthy bone tissues. E-cigarettes also contain detectable levels of known carcinogens and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde, which also causes cancer. Additionally, many of these chemicals cause chronic inflammation, bronchitis, emphysema, and heart disease.
All in all, there are no long-term studies that can prove that e-cigarettes are less harmful than conventional cigarettes. Moreover, very little is known about the safety and long-term health effects of this relatively new product. The conclusion? We suggest patients avoid e-cigarettes, as well as the real ones.
Yes, it is possible to get dental implants if you smoke, but there is an increased risk of problems and implant failure. As such, your chance of dental implant success will be much better if you quit smoking. If you want to know more about quitting smoking or dental implants, call Dr. Svoboda for a no-obligation dental implant consultation.
If you use tobacco products, there is definitely a risk to your overall health, as well as your dental implants. However, if you are not a smoker, or you are ready to quit, dental implants could be a great tooth replacement solution for your needs and budget! Look through the rest of our informative infosite and then call our Brampton, ON office today for a consultation. We can’t wait to help you achieve your best smile ever with stunning dental implants from Dr. Svoboda!
Dr. Emil Svoboda
110 Queen Street East
Brampton, ON
CAN L6V 1B1
New Patients:
905-454-3320
Current Patients:
905-866-6657
Monday: 9AM – 8PM
Tuesday: 9AM – 8PM
Wednesday: 9AM – 8PM
Thursday: 9AM – 8PM
Friday: 9AM – 5PM
Saturday: 9AM – 5PM
Sunday: Closed