If you’re looking for a reliable way to rebuild your grin after tooth loss, have you considered dentures? These artificial teeth are the tried-and-true way to restore your smile’s functionality and appearance. They’re a versatile solution that can replace some or all of your missing teeth so you can enjoy meals and conversations more easily.
However, you must care for your dentures properly to avoid developing oral issues like gum disease, which can progress and impact your overall health if left unaddressed. Some bad habits, like smoking cigarettes, vaping, or chewing tobacco, are extra harmful to your prosthetics. Continue reading to learn 3 good reasons to consider quitting!
Reason #1: Smoking Speeds Up Bone Loss
Did you know that when you lose your adult teeth, your jawbone starts to thin? Without a root in place to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down, it begins to erode. In time, it can become too flat or weak to support any remaining teeth, let alone your restoration.
Unfortunately, if you regularly use tobacco products, you’ll only speed up this process of degeneration. To keep your jaw healthy and strong for longer, it’s advised that you leave this unhealthy habit in the past.
Reason #2: Smoking Increases the Risk of Gum Disease
Standard dentures form a tight suction against your gums over the bony ridges of your mouth to remain in place. This in and of itself leaves you at an increased risk of gum disease because food particles and bacteria from your mouth are trapped between your tissues and your prosthetic.
Smoking will only make things worse because the nicotine content restricts your blood vessels and flow. As a result, your body is unable to deliver nutrients to your mouth to help it fight off germs and infections. If you’re hoping to preserve your oral health, quitting smoking is an excellent first step.
Reason #3: Smoking Causes Stains
One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and having darkened or missing teeth can leave a negative first impression. Thankfully, your dentures can be made to be a lighter shade to boost your confidence.
Although your artificial teeth can’t get cavities, they can stain. Regularly smoking or chewing tobacco can discolor them because they contain tar and other chemicals that can cling to the surface. Over time, they can take on a yellow or brownish tint. Because dentures can’t be whitened with topical treatments, addressing it requires more costly repairs or replacements.
Now that you know more about how smoking can impact your dentures, it’s easy to see how quitting can improve your oral health and preserve your prosthetics!
About the Practice
At Salmon Brook Dental Associates, two highly accomplished dentists work together to offer a full array of services conveniently under one roof. With 40+ years of combined experience, they can help with everything from basic preventative care to more complex treatments and restorations, like dentures. They combine a compassionate approach with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while increasing the accuracy of their treatment results. Plus, they offer late and Saturday appointments so you can find a time that works best for your unique schedule. If you’re interested in dentures, you can request a consultation on the website or call (860) 653-4551.