3 Reasons To Stop Smoking If You Are Getting Dentures

A healthy smile can make you more confident and attractive. For patients with significant tooth loss or decay, dentures can be a great option for restoring a complete smile. The technology used to create dentures has come a long way in recent years.

Dentures now look more natural than ever, but you still have to do your part to maintain the appearance of the oral appliance fitted by your dentist. Smoking can be extremely damaging to dentures. If you are going to be fitted for dentures in the near future, you should stop smoking now to help you better preserve your dentures over time.

1. Smoking Can Stain Dentures

You probably know that smoking has the potential to stain your natural teeth. This is because the enamel coating on your teeth is porous, allowing smoke particles to penetrate the surface of the enamel and produce discoloration. Smoking also has the potential to stain your dentures.

Dentures are constructed using specialized plastics and polymers that can stain much more easily than your natural teeth. Once a set of dentures is stained, the stains can be impossible to remove.

You may find that you need to replace your dentures more frequently when you smoke, so it's in your best interest to stop smoking before having your dentures fitted.

2. Smoking Can Compromise Gum Health

The condition of your gums is of vital importance when you are wearing dentures. The dentures will sit directly on gum tissue, so healthy gums are a must.

The nicotine that can be found in cigarettes can constrict the blood vessels in your mouth. This restricts blood flow to the gums, making it more difficult for your body to recover from gingivitis or other periodontal infections.

Extended recovery time increases the potential for your dentures to cause serious tissue damage, so stop smoking today to allow your gums to heal properly before being fitted for dentures.

3. Smoking Alters the Fit of Dentures

Dentures need to fit your mouth properly to avoid irritation. Poorly fitted dentures can cause gum lacerations and bleeding that put you at risk of developing serious oral infections. The gums of a smoker are often much harder than those of a non-smoker.

Gum tissue hardens as a protective response to exposure to cigarette smoke. Once you stop smoking, the gum tissue softens, which can change the shape and dimension of your gums significantly. Allow yourself enough time for the gums to fully regenerate before being fitted for your dentures by quitting your smoking habit now.

For more information, contact a denture clinic in your area.