Smoking is a habit that can have serious consequences for your oral health. While quitting smoking is good for your health in general, it becomes even more important when you have dentures. If you want to learn why smoking and denture prosthetics don’t mix, continue reading.
1. Increased Risk of Oral Health Issues
Using cigarettes and cigars is a factor in many oral health problems, including gum disease, oral cancer, and tooth loss. Even if you have no natural teeth left, the chemicals from smoking cigarettes can seep into your gums. This affects your gum health and the bone underneath which can make it more difficult for your dentures to fit.
2. Staining and Discoloration
The smoke from cigarettes causes significant staining and discoloration of natural teeth, but it can also affect your dentures. It carries chemicals that stick to teeth and dentures alike leading to unsightly yellow or brown stains that are difficult to remove.
3. Faster Bone Resorption
Smoking has been linked to accelerated bone loss in the jaw, a process known as bone resorption. This can affect the fit of your dentures over time, leading to the need for frequent adjustments or replacements. Quitting smoking can slow down bone resorption and preserve the jawbone that you need to support your dentures.
4. Make Your Dentures Smell
Over time, the smoke from your cigarettes will leave its smell in your clothes, your home, and even your dentures. This smell is very difficult to wash away and may give others pause when talking with you face to face.
5. Disrupt the Healing Process
The chemicals in tobacco smoke are known to decrease your body’s natural ability to heal. This means that even small abrasions or bit cheeks and lips caused by dentures will take time to heal. While healing for an extended period, the wounds will pick up bacteria from your mouth, creating a greater chance of infection.
Smoking and dentures are a harmful combination that can compromise your oral health and overall well-being. Quitting smoking is necessary to support the longevity, comfort, and aesthetics of your dentures. If you’re a denture wearer who smokes, consider reaching out for support and resources to help you quit smoking for good. Your smile and your health will thank you for it.
About the Practice
If you’re ready to replace your smile with a new, beautiful prosthetic, Dr. Adam Danzig and Dr. Rachel Snook can help. They use state-of-the-art dental technology to make your treatment efficient and affordable. Whether you need a partial, full, or implanted denture, they have the means to provide it. Call (978) 924-8186 to schedule a denture consultation at Grateful Dentists, or visit the website to discover other services.