Why you Should Quit Smoking if you want to get Dental Implants

Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg, PA

Missing a tooth can affect how your smile looks, speech, or ability to eat foods you love. Tooth replacement options like a partial denture or dental bridge have long since been the go-to for replacing missing teeth and restoring smiles. However, dental implants have emerged as one of the most popular tooth replacement options because they are permanent and function most like a natural tooth more than any other option. However, not everyone is a candidate, and while dental implant success is common, there are instances like tobacco usage that may lead to implant failure. Today on the blog, find out why you should quit smoking if you want to get dental implants to restore your smile.

How smoking could sabotage your dental implants

The health effects of smoking are no longer a mystery. Studies prove that smokers are more at risk for heart disease, stroke, blood clots, lung diseases, and cancer of the lungs, throat, or mouth. Smoking could affect the success of your dental implants because nicotine lowers blood oxygenation and slows blood flow and healing, which are three important components to recovering after dental implant surgery. Receiving dental implants involves oral surgery, and a roughly six-month healing period, depending on the implant procedure you receive. During the healing period, the jawbone fuses to the implant through a stage called osseointegration. If this phase is compromised, your implant may fail and have to be removed, as well as cause permanent damage to your jawbone.

Vapers aren’t off the hook either

Vaping appeals to many smokers as a safer alternative to smoking cigarettes. However, vaping is just as bad for your overall health and dental health. Additionally, the main ingredient in vaping juice is nicotine. Therefore, by vaping, you still expose yourself to the same health risks as smoking cigarettes. Except vaping could damage your salivary glands, thicken skin cells, or burn the lips or inside the mouth. Our implant dentists in Bloomsburg advise patients to stop smoking entirely at least two to three months before their dental implant procedure and during the six-month healing period. It’s best not to resume smoking at all.

How dental implants can restore your smile

Dealing with tooth loss can be embarrassing for some patients, especially if the space is visible when you smile. Missing multiple teeth could make eating or speaking a challenge, and in some cases, tooth loss significantly impacts one’s self-esteem, social life, and career. But the good news is that you could be a candidate for dental implants, a permanent way to replace one or more missing teeth.

Dental Implants in Bloomsburg, Danville, and Lewisburg

Restoring your smile is easier than you might think. Thanks to advancements in dentistry, dental implants can give you a confident smile that you desire. To learn more about your tooth replacement options or find an implant dentist near you in Bloomsburg, please call Hamilton Dental Care at (570) 387-0533 to schedule a consultation or contact us today.