Top Reasons Why Smoking and Dental Implants Don’t Mix

Everybody knows smoking tobacco increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease, diabetes, cancer, and other severe medical conditions. Moreover, this nasty habit can wreak havoc on your teeth and gums. If you’re facing an extensive and costly treatment such as dental implants in West Palm Beach, smoking increases your risk of implant failure. 

Why You Should Quit Smoking Before Getting Dental Implants

Smoking Causes Damage to Your Oral Tissues

Aside from causing you to burn and thicken the outermost layer of skin cells in the mouth, inhaling smoke from cigarettes or cigars impacts your salivary glands’ performance, causing them to produce less saliva. Unfortunately, a dry mouth is vulnerable to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.  

If left untreated, these oral health issues may cause the jaw bone that holds your teeth in place to lose density. Placing dental implants in a jaw bone with insufficient density will ultimately lead to implant failure. 

Smoking Inhibits the Healing Process

The blood carries enough antibodies to fight infection and nutrients that facilitate healing at the surgical site. It’s worth noting that all tobacco products contain nicotine, an addictive chemical that restricts blood flow in the blood vessels coursing through the gums and oral membranes. Since smoking causes reduced blood flow to the surgical site, it inhibits the healing process and prevents smokers from achieving dental implant success. 

Smoking Increases the Risk of Gum Disease

Besides aiding in digestion, saliva helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup by washing away food particles stuck on the teeth’s surface. Since smokers are more susceptible to developing a dry mouth, they have more plaque and tartar than nonsmokers. Without treatment, this can lead to tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease, increasing the risk of implant failure. 

Considering Dental Implants in West Palm Beach?

Dr. Miguel Ferrer, DDS, is here to help you achieve the smile of your dreams. Call now to make an appointment.