You started smoking cigarettes around the time you were in high school. It quickly became a part of your personality. At some point in your life, you felt an unusual lump in your throat and thought, “Please don’t be cancer.” You decided to quit for the first time, but you continued to smoke. Sound familiar? Not only do you face developing oral cancer, but now after years of smoking, you’re now facing tooth loss. Your Putman dentist understands how difficult it can be to quit using tobacco, we run into patients that use it all the time! However, that does not make it any better for either your general or oral health—especially if you plan on replacing your teeth with dental implants.
How does smoking affect your oral health?
Everyone knows that smoking causes lung cancer, but it’s also closely related to cardiac problems and even more overlooked—dental issues. It can significantly weaken your overall health and dental health, constricting the blood flow to your mouth and turning it into a breeding ground for bacteria. Not only that, but smoking may:
- Cause chronic bad breath.
- Lengthen the time it takes to heal from oral surgery.
- Cause your teeth to discolor.
- Raise your risk of oral cancer by two-thirds.
- Increase the chance of developing gum disease.
- Increase the chances of you losing your natural teeth for good.
What happens if I lose my teeth?
Luckily, Drs. Carolyn and Walter McGinn offer the restorative services you need to replace your teeth with dental implants in Putnam. When you lose your natural teeth, you’re also losing the tooth root that lies below the gum line. This tooth root is vital to keeping your mouth and jaw bone strong and healthy. Without tooth roots, your health will deteriorate and you will most likely lose more teeth as time goes on.
With that being said, if you do choose to replace your teeth with dental implants, it’s important to not put yourself in the same situation again. Smoking can also cause your dental implants to fail because your gums and jaw bone won’t be able to support them. The point of an implant post is to anchor your dental prosthetic into place. Without adequate density, your dental implants will also deteriorate.
How can my Putnam dentist help me?
The best thing to do for your overall health is to quit using tobacco altogether. It’s not easy to stop using altogether due to the nicotine found in tobacco products, but our supportive doctors and dental team are here to help make your health a priority over those addictive moments in your life. If you need help or advice, we’re only a phone call away! After all, we want your replacement tooth procedure to be successful.
Even if you are having a tough time quitting, it is important to visit your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings—especially with new replacement teeth—before you’re showing any symptoms of a dental issue.
Are you ready to improve your oral health?
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for yourself and replacing missing teeth also great. Do both and your oral health is bound to improve! Contact us today and get your health back on track.