The Three-Step Process To Fixing Smoking Damage To Your Mouth

Smoking is terrible for your gums and teeth, and you probably know it if you're reading this guide. Even after you give up the habit of smoking, you can have significant lasting damage that makes your smile look less than stellar. If you're tired of seeing your mistakes staring back at you when you look in the mirror, then look at this three-step process that your dentist will take to get your smile looking like it once did.

Fixing Receded Gums

One common problem that people have when they smoke is that their gums recede. This means that the tissue pulls away from the teeth, revealing more of the tooth and creating an optical illusion that your teeth are longer than they actually are. Your teeth don't change sizes; there's just more of the tooth that becomes visible.

Fixing receding gums is possible with a gum graft. Your dentist will use donor tissue to extend the length of your gums by stitching the new tissue to the old tissue. The two will integrate together and will not only improve your appearance, but the new gum tissue will also help to protect your teeth from cavities and other problems.

Replacing Lost Teeth

People who smoke are at a higher risk of losing teeth than those who don't. This is due to a combination of factors, like worsening circulation and the chronic exposure to tar and other substances that make gums sick. As a result, you might lose one or more teeth before you're done with smoking.

Missing teeth can be replaced in a variety of ways. Some popular replacement methods include dental bridges and dental implants. Dental bridges are mounted to surrounding teeth and help to fill in the gap of where your other teeth used to be. Implants, on the other hand, are self-sufficient and can be placed anywhere regardless of how many teeth you have left.

Whitening Teeth

Lastly, a simple teeth whitening process is a good idea to go through. This will give your teeth back their luster and whiteness that they once had, erasing all signs of exposure to things like tobacco and tar.

If you currently smoke or have recently given up smoking, then these procedures can all help you to get your old appearance back. Don't hesitate; if you have missing teeth, the longer they're gone the higher the risk of you losing even more of them. Speak with a cosmetic dentist for more information. 

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