Cigarettes are one of the most dangerous and serious enemies of human health. Besides, smoking affects all aspects of your life. The risk of dental surgery failure is extremely high in those who smoke. Smoking can even harm the operation of dental implants and cause the failure of this cosmetic dentistry treatment. To learn more about the effect of smoking on dental implants surgery, read the rest of this article:
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Dental Implants for Smokers: Smokers Can Also Have Dental Implants
Many people ask us if dental implant placement is possible and successful for smokers? The short answer is “yes”. Such people can also benefit from the gift of dental implants, and there is almost no obstacle in their way. But the process of implantation and the post-implantation for these people are different from non-smokers. In order for a smoker to qualify for dental implants, s/he must change his habits and lifestyle. If these people cannot make such changes, the result of the dental implant surgery will probably fail, or at least the maintenance and care of the implant will be difficult in the future.
The Impact of Cigarettes On Implants: How Do Smoking and Cigarettes Affect Dental Implants?
Because of the harmful effects of nicotine, tobacco, and cigarettes, dental implants will not be successful in all smokers. Cigarettes and their smoke negatively affect the success of this surgery in several different ways:
Cigarette smoke damages the gums and jawbones: Cigarette smoke burns the structures inside your mouth and can damage or block salivary glands, which causes dry mouth. Cigarettes are practically the enemy of the salivary glands. Saliva deficiency can lead to tooth decay and gum disease and weaken the bone mass that surrounds the dental implant.
Nicotine slows down the functioning of the immune system: no matter how nicotine enters your body, it limits the flow of oxygen and blood to the bones and tissues of the mouth. While the jawbone needs this oxygen and blood flow during the dental implant recovery period, nicotine exposure reduces the level of defense and immune function, thereby decreasing the ability to heal.
Tobacco and nicotine prevent the jawbone from regrowth around the dental implant: In addition to reducing blood flow and oxygen to the bone for repair, nicotine and smoking prevent the jawbone from fusion to the dental implant.
How many days after the dental implant should you not smoke?
As with any surgery, you should follow your dentist or dental surgeon’s instructions and recommendations to ensure the best results in implant placement for smokers. You are required to follow all pre- and post-operative recommendations; otherwise, there is no guarantee of success for your dental implant operation as a smoker. For example, you should have a proper diet, do not smoke or drink alcohol.
How Can the Effect of Smoking On Dental Implants Be Reduced?
Here are some tips to help you take better care of your dental implant and increase your chances of having an excellent permanent tooth:
The best way to reduce the risk of dental implant failure and improve your overall health after this procedure is to stop smoking. Quit smoking anyway. You can get help from doctors or use centers and support groups to quit smoking.
- Avoid smoking for at least one week before surgery and at least two months after.
- Brush your teeth and use mouthwashes after smoking.
- See your dentist for regular checkups and specialized brushing.