Why Dentures Are a Good Reason to Stop Smoking

You’re about to go through a pretty significant life change: replacing your missing teeth with dentures. Transitions like these can be daunting, but something you can be excited about is the improvement to your oral function and quality of life! That said, though, old habits can have a way of jeopardizing your well-being, and yours – smoking – dies hard. Keep reading to learn why getting dentures makes for a good reason to stop smoking for good.

Nicotine Slows Your Gum’s Healing Process

Nicotine, which means all tobacco products, shrinks your blood vessels and weakens the cells inside. This presents you with two problems:

1. Your system won’t be able to transfer blood throughout your body as effectively
2. Harmful bacteria will cling to weak cells and travel straight to your arteries

The overall result is a severely impaired blood flow. Without proper circulation, your body heals more slowly, meaning any sore or blister developed from new dentures will be at an increased risk for infection. It also means your body will have a hard time supporting good gum health. Dentures already interfere with your gum’s circulation, so nicotine will only add to the complication.

Irritated Gums Make for Ill-Fitting Dentures

When you smoke, your gums harden in an attempt to protect your mouth from the chemicals. After a while of doing this, though, they can start to shrink. As your pink oral supports get smaller and smaller, your dentures will no longer fit quite right. Not only is this an uncomfortable problem, but the uneven pressure can accelerate jawbone loss.

Your Mouth Will be Seriously Dry

Saliva is an important part of your oral biome. Unfortunately, smoking tends to result in cotton mouth. Without enough saliva to cushion your gums, your dentures will literally rub them the wrong way. It’s similar to how dry skin can be painful and is more easily irritated. A desert environment is simply not suitable for soft oral tissue, and they’ll chafe against the friction produced by your dentures.

Smoking is by no means an easy habit to kick, but sometimes new life changes make it easier to “turn over a new leaf,” so to speak. It’s vital to support your dentures with healthy gums, otherwise you might not experience the improved oral function you hoped for. When you receive your replacement teeth, don’t be afraid to keep your dentist in the loop about your struggles. They’re there to help you maintain your oral health and would be happy to help you quit your smoking habit if that’s what you need.

About the Practice

At Stec & Stines Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we take the time to truly get to know our patients and are invested in their wellbeing. If you’re worried about how your smoking habit might affect your dentures, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’ll help you find an effective solution so you can enjoy your new dental prosthetic. To contact our office, dial 308-382-4440.