Why You Should Not Use An Electric Cigarette If You Want A Dental Implant

Did you just find out you've got some tooth decay? Learn about some dental care tips that can prevent the problem in the future.

Why You Should Not Use An Electric Cigarette If You Want A Dental Implant

Why You Should Not Use An Electric Cigarette If You Want A Dental Implant

1 November 2016
 Categories:
Dentist, Articles


If you have recently spoken to a professional about the possible placement of a dental implant to replace a tooth, then you may have been informed that it is best to quit smoking. Smoking increases your risk of implant failure significantly. Nonsmokers have about a 1.4% implant failure rate, while smokers have failure rates above 15%. Many individuals have found success with electronic cigarettes as they try to quit smoking. However, these devices are not advisable if you want a dental implant. Keep reading to find out why.

They Still Contain Nicotine

Many people will use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to quit smoking. You may have heard that this type of therapy can increase your chances of quitting smoking by about 70%. However, patches, gums, and sprays do not have a great overall success rate when it comes to smoking cessation. NRT helps to increase success rates from only 10% to 17%. Electronic cigarettes, on the other hand, show success rates as high as 40% after one year. This means that electronic cigarettes are a better option than gums and patches if you want long-term quitting success. 

Unfortunately, If you also want a successful dental implant, then electronic cigarettes should be avoided, along with all of the other NRT products on the market. Electronic cigarettes contain nicotine, and the nicotine levels are sometimes quite high. You will typically absorb almost one milligram of nicotine when you smoke a cigarette. Electronic cigarette liquids will contain between 6 milligrams and 48 milligrams of nicotine per milliliter. The average user will typically use around one milliliter of fluid a day. This works out to a nicotine level in your system that may be the same or even higher than when you were smoking. 

While the tar in cigarette smoke is responsible for a great deal of the oral issues you may experience while smoking, nicotine has some serious side effects as well. Nicotine can slow the healing process, and it can also lead to infections and the death of the delicate bone tissues that line the jaw. Nicotine does these things by the way it affects the blood vessels. The substance causes the capillaries to restrict, and this stops blood from flowing as freely. If blood flow is cut off from the surgical implant area, then the jaw and the gum tissues will not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need.

They Cause You To Suck

Electronic cigarettes mimic the act of smoking as well as the sensation of smoking. This allows the user to feel as if they are smoking without subjecting the body to the numerous chemical substances that can be found in cigarette smoke. If you have spoken to your dental professional about implants, then you may have learned that you should not use a straw or suck on hard candies for some time after the dental implant is secured. The act of sucking with your mouth, like what you do when your use an electronic cigarette, can contribute to bleeding.

Dental implantation involves an invasive operation. The gums will be cut and then stitched up. Since the surgical area remains in a wet environment, hard scabs are unable to form. Sucking actions can pull clots out of the mouth and cause the wound to bleed. If clots are continually sucked out of the region and the gums are unable to close around the upper edge of the dental implant root, then the bone may remain exposed. Exposed bone can become infected or die. Your dental implant may then need to be removed.

If you want a successful dental implant, then it is wise to quit smoking completely instead of relying on NRT aids like electronic cigarettes. If quitting is difficult for you, then make sure to speak with your dentist so you can learn about some tips to help you quit smoking. Your dentist will also let you know about the dental implant failure risks if you decide to continue smoking cigarettes or if you rely on electronic cigarettes to supply your body with nicotine. 

For more information, check out websites like http://www.fortcollinsdentist.com.

About Me
Got Tooth Decay? Finding Dental Care Tips Right For You

When it comes to my dental care, I only use the best toothbrushes, toothpastes and flosses. But sometimes, even after being vigilant and careful with my oral care, I experience problems like toothaches. Last year, I developed a small cavity in one of my back teeth. I didn't want to bother my dentist about it, so I simply took pain medications and hoped for the best. But after my jaw began to swell up, I sought professional dental help. My small cavity was actually a large hole filled with infection. I ended up having an extraction. Now, I visit my dentist as often as I can, because I can't afford to lose anymore teeth. I want to share my experiences with other people, so I created this blog. I offer tips on how to keep your teeth healthy and when to see a dentist. Thanks for visiting.

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