I’ve been smoke-free for the last year. I did it to get my dental implants. My dentist wouldn’t do them if I was smoking. I’m hoping now that so much time has passed I can have one every now and then. It’s especially hard when I’m out with my friends and they’re all smoking. I know I should be asking my dentist, but he’s made such a big deal about how proud he is of me that I’m too ashamed to ask him.
Misty L. – Florida
Misty,
First, I’m going to echo your dentist’s congratulations. A year without smoking is a huge accomplishment. I know quitting smoking is hard. I’m sure being around your friends while they’re smoking is especially hard.
I’m going to encourage you not to take up smoking again. People who smoke run into two issues that can cause their dental implants procedure to fail:
1. Smokers are at a much greater risk of getting gum disease. If that takes hold, you’ll lose your implants. It would be disastrous for you to have made all this sacrifice, spent all that money, and gone through that entire procedure only to have it fail.
2. Smoking inhibits your blood flow. That puts you at risk of losing the implants as well.
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