Dental Procedures For Smokers

10 November 2018
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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If you are a smoker, you are no doubt already well-aware that smoking is bad for your health. You may have also discovered the habit is not good for your teeth, either. Thankfully, it's never too late to quit smoking, and dental technology has rapidly advanced in recent years. Whether you are a current or former smoker, here are three procedures you may want to discuss with your dentist.

Gum Grafting

When a person smokes or uses chewing tobacco, it can accelerate the loss of gum tissue around the teeth. This gum loss is a gradual process that may not always be noticeable as it happens. A loose tooth or sudden sensitivity to hot and cold beverages and foods are the first signs of gum recession.

A gum grafting procedure can stop your gums from receding any further and protect your teeth. Depending on the severity of the gum loss, the dentist or periodontist will utilize one of a few different techniques. The most common procedures involve removing a small amount of tissue from the roof of the mouth and grafting it on to the gums. This is done with local anesthetics and sometimes nitrous oxide or another mild sedative.

The procedure will only require a day or two of downtime, with limited pain management needs, and should be completely healed within 10-14 days. Most patients are given a course of antibiotics to ensure infection doesn't set in.

Dental Implants

Regular brushing, flossing, routine visits to the dental hygienist for cleanings, and checkups with the dentist can go a long way in keeping a smoker's teeth relatively healthy. However, dentists can't always save teeth that have become damaged or loose, and gum grafting isn't always an option.

In the past, when a tooth needed to be pulled, a bridge was the only options. When most or all teeth eventually needed to be removed due to rot and decay or because they couldn't be repaired anymore, a partial or denture was used.

While partials and dentures are a good option to be thankful for, dental implants are even better because they are permanently placed and feel just like a real tooth. A metal post is placed in the jawbone, and then an artificial tooth is attached to it. Because of the damage that diseases like diabetes can do to the mouth and teeth, not everyone is a candidate for a dental implant. Most dentists will also require their patients to have committed to no longer smoking before receiving a dental implant, as smoking can cause delayed healing and complications.

Teeth Whitening

Once the dentist has corrected the structural issues with your teeth, you can have them brighten your smile. Consult with your dentist for the method that is best for your situation, but options include pastes, rinses, and tray treatments.