Is it Safe to Smoke with Dentures?

If you smoke, vape, or chew tobacco and need dentures, you may not realize the dangers your habit could cause your prosthetics. In fact, many patients are surprised at how damaging these products can be to false teeth. Here’s a closer look at some of the risks to your restorations when you use tobacco products, and what you can do to protect them!

Denture Danger: How Tobacco Harms Prosthetics

Your dentures were designed to be durable enough to withstand years of smiles, laughter, and delicious meals, but they weren’t meant to stand up to tobacco. You see, when you smoke, vape, or chew these types of products, you are accelerating the breakdown of materials used in your prosthetics, weakening the acrylic and making it easier to damage the base and teeth.

Oral Health Risks

In addition to damaging your dentures, using tobacco products can be extremely harmful to your health, including increasing your risk of developing oral cancer. Worse yet, it is easier for denture wearers to miss important warning signs of this potentially life-threatening illness in the first place because they cover much of the gum tissue.

Finally, developing oral cancer can make wearing dentures impossible, so smoking could even eliminate your ability to restore your smile completely!

How to Protect Your Dentures (and Your Smile) From Smoking Damage

If you wear dentures and use tobacco products, there are a few ways to protect your oral health and your dentures. These include:

• Quit smoking if you can. This is the best way to ensure your oral health and dentures stay in optimum condition for as long as possible.
• Clean your dentures frequently to remove buildup and residue from tobacco, food, and plaque. Daily cleaning can eliminate stains and foul odors from developing.
• Visit your dentist every six months for your regular exams and cleanings. Even if you have no remaining natural teeth, you should still be seen every six months to ensure your mouth and prosthetics are in good condition.
• Drink plenty of water. Smoking causes dry mouth, which can increase discomfort and even alter the fit of your dentures.
• Use products designed specifically for dentures. Whether it’s a soak, paste, or adhesive, choose items that were specifically designed for dentures to ensure they last as long as possible.

Remember, smoking or using tobacco products is extremely harmful to your oral and overall health, but it can also cause a great deal of damage to your dentures. Thus, do your best to break this dangerous habit, and you’ll help improve the odds of your smile and your restoration as long as possible!

About Dr. Kern

Dr. Joe Kern earned his undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve University and his dental doctorate at the Ohio State University. He is proud to help patients right here in Grafton restore their smiles with the help of solutions like durable, lifelike dentures. To schedule a denture consultation with Kern Family Dentistry, visit our website or call 701-352-2013.