In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that over 28 million adults in the United States smoked cigarettes. Although that number has declined over the past few years, millions of adults’ overall and oral health are still impacted by tobacco use, whether that’s in the form of vaping, using cigarettes, or cigars. What many people don’t consider is how it will impact their dental restorations, like their full or partial dentures. Read on to learn the risks of smoking with dentures.
What are Dentures & How Do They Work?
Whether you get full or partial dentures, both are designed to rest atop the gumline. Full dentures utilize natural suction to stay in place, while partials are anchored between existing teeth, filling the gaps throughout your smile. Because they require a healthy and supportive jawbone and gumline to remain functional, the health of your smile is still critical in order to support your restoration, which makes quitting smoking an important goal for the long-term success of your dentures.
4 Risks of Smoking with Dentures
- Staining: Smoking causes teeth to become stained due to the nicotine and tar in tobacco. These substances can seep into the enamel of teeth, causing them not only to become discolored, but also speeding up the erosion of enamel, which helps protect from cavities.
- Bone Loss: One of the ways that smoking can impact your oral health that many people don’t know about is by speeding up the jawbone resorption process. Whenever you lose teeth, the roots that once stimulated the jawbone are no longer present, causing bone loss due to a lack of blood flow. Smoking has been shown to increase this process because it leads to lower bone mineral density and decreased calcium absorption.
- Gum Disease: Smoking has long been known as a leading risk of gum disease, which is an infection that attacks the supportive soft oral tissues in the mouth. This can lead to gum inflammation and other symptoms that could impact the function of your dentures.
- Discomfort: Finally, smoking can make wearing dentures uncomfortable and even unstable, due to it causing dry mouth. Your saliva acts as an important cushion and lubrication for your restoration to make wearing your dentures all day much more comfortable. Without it, you’re at a higher risk of developing oral sores and other uncomfortable issues.
How You Can Extend the Lifespan of Your Dentures
The best way to get the most out of your dentures in DuPont is to maintain good at-home and professional oral hygiene and health. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and using antimicrobial mouthwash every day. Whether you have full or partial dentures, it’s also important to regularly clean your prosthetic daily, including brushing it with a specially made denture cleaning brush and solution. At your routine checkups and cleaning with your dentist, they can also professionally clean them to make sure they continue looking and functioning like new!
If you’re struggling with quitting smoking and you want to take steps towards doing so, the best place to start is by speaking with your primary care doctor. They’ll be able to guide you towards helpful resources to get you started on your journey towards better oral and overall health.
About the Practice
At DuPont Family Dentistry, our practice is family-owned and operated, and our two experienced dentists, Drs. John Ludu and Rhenu Sharma, bring countless years of experience to the table. With a commitment to helping patients get the most out of their restorations, like dentures, we offer key preventive education in addition to important services like checkups and cleanings. For questions or to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call 253-964-7000.