You already know smoking can have a serious effect on your overall health — but what about your tooth replacement options? Patients who have dental implants in Vero Beach and who also smoke or use tobacco should know studies show the habit can lead to dental implant failure. Keep reading to find out why, and how you can increase the chances of dental implant success.
Smoking and Dental Implants
Dental implants are titanium posts that act as prosthetic tooth roots. If everything goes as it should, once implanted beneath the gum line, the implants will promote the growth of bone tissue and gradually fuse together with the jaw.
That’s how it should work — but research suggests that people who smoke or use tobacco may not have a healthy environment to encourage this process (known as “osseointegration”) to occur after the procedure is complete. What’s more, if you develop an infection after the implant placement, using tobacco will greatly diminish your body’s ability to heal itself. Some studies say that smokers are as much as 15% more likely to experience dental implant failure compared to people who do not use tobacco.
Loose Dental Implant?
A failing dental implant will get loose before it falls out completely. If you feel like one of your dental implants is starting to wiggle around or feel uncomfortable, do not hesitate to get in touch with your implant dentist’s office right away. In the meantime, resist the urge to wiggle the implant — this can result in more bone loss and may cause the implant to fall out completely. With proper intervention, it may be possible to salvage the dental implant.
Preventing Dental Implant Failure
Dental implants are a wonderful investment in your oral health and lasting smile — but there is almost nothing more stressful or expensive than a failed dental implant. Smoker or not, there are a few things you can do to increase the chances that your dental implants will be successful. Some of these tips include:
- Stop or do not start smoking and tobacco use
- Clean your teeth properly every day, flossing once daily and brushing twice a day
- Invest in an interdental cleaner or water flosser to reach around the dental implant(s)
- Maintain a balanced, nutritious diet and an overall healthy diet
- Visit your dentist as often as recommended for routine checkups
With proper care and maintenance, dental implants can last a lifetime. It’s a good idea to think twice before lighting up and follow these steps to enjoy your healthy, complete smile for decades to come!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Adam Jones and Dr. Giuliana Diaz Jones offer excellence in implant dentistry from the comfort of the Vero Implant and Esthetic Dentistry office. Their comprehensive services range from traditional dental implants to Teeth in a Day in Vero Beach and much more. If you are interested in learning more about quality implant dentistry, do not hesitate to contact their practice at 772-234-5353.