If you’re a tobacco user who’s missing teeth, you may be wondering what your replacement options are. After all, products like cigarettes, chew, vapes, and cigars are known contributors to gum disease and tooth loss. Dental implants have quickly become the gold standard in restoration, but if you’re considering them and still use tobacco, here’s why now is the time to quit.
How Does Tobacco Cause Tooth Loss?
If you’re a tobacco user, you’ve likely been told by well meaning friends, family, and medical professionals that you should quit. That’s because in addition to making you look and feel older, these products can cause a variety of oral and overall health problems, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, gum disease, tooth loss, and much more.
So, how does tobacco contribute to tooth loss? When you smoke, chew tobacco, or even vape, you dry out the oral tissues in your mouth, allowing bacteria to thrive, and increasing your risk of gum disease. This in turn can cause receding gums as well as the loosening of the ligaments that hold your teeth in place. Eventually, if not treated, this can lead to tooth loss.
How Does Tobacco Cause Dental Implant Failure?
In the same way tobacco can cause gum disease, it can also promote dental implant failure. That’s because much like real teeth, your prosthetics are attached to the jawbone. When the mouth dries out due to smoking or chewing, your restorations may not be able to properly integrate with the surrounding tissue. Not only that, but studies have shown that tobacco also slowed bone healing due to negative effects on blood flow surrounding the prosthetic.
Does Tobacco Use Disqualify Me from Getting Dental Implants?
The truth is, using tobacco is not a good idea if you’re going to get dental implants. In fact, you’ll need to at a very minimum temporarily quit for at least two weeks prior to surgery, but ideally you should stop at least six weeks before. Furthermore, you should be prepared to remain tobacco-free for at least three months after your dental implant procedure, but ideally, for your health and the longevity of your newly rebuilt smile, you should consider stopping for good. Ultimately, however, it is up to you to dentist whether you are a good candidate for treatment, regardless of whether you use tobacco or not.
Remember, smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco can not only cause gum disease and tooth loss, but it can also cause the dental implants you use to replace them to fail, too. Thus, it is best to quit these products prior to getting restorations, and to remain tobacco free for as long as possible after. To learn more about dental implants and how you can improve your oral health for this treatment, schedule a consultation with your dentist today!
About Dr. Atluri
After initially earning her dental degree in India in 2005, Dr. Swathi Atluri relocated to the United States where she earned a second dental degree at the New York University College of Dentistry. She has completed additional studies on root canal treatment, Invisalign, and dental implants, and is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, American Academy of Clear Aligners, and the International Dental Implant Association. To schedule an appointment at Smile Dental of Arlington, visit our website or call 682-452-1150.