Hi, I'm new to this site and very glad I came across it. I am 38 and had my upper jawbone grafted on 6/3/14 along with teeth 8 & 9 extracted due to periodontal disease and infection. I had noticed that tooth #8 was slightly loose. When an X-Ray was done it was discovered I had lost 70-75% of my bone over tooth #8 along with an infection where the pain was very bad for 2 months before my surgery. Tooth #9 was extracted due to the bone loss. I have an aunt and uncle who have periodontal disease and am certain that I have other deceased family members who had it as well. I am aware that smoking does lead to a lower success rate with bone grafting, but I have been unable to stop. I have been able to cut way back (5 cigarettes and under a day) with the exception of surgery day where I did not smoke at all. I use my flipper when I do smoke so there is a barrier between the extractions and the smoke. I also rinse with salt water after each cigarette. My periodontist is of course telling me to quit and if I smoke I will lose all my teeth. I don't appreciate the scare tactics and am writing so I can have some peace of mind. I did buy an electronic cigarette, but am not sure how safe that is and would like some input on that too. Thank you for your time!

Hi Emily,

Your dentist is not trying to scare you. He is trying to inform you of the fact that the chemicals in tobacco and the e-cigarette will contribute to the loss of your teeth. They will also interfere with the long term healing of this recent surgery. So the final outcome will be compromised and there will be no way for him to remedy that for you.

The chemicals in the tobacco as well as the nicotine in e cigarettes are toxic and your oral tissue, your lungs, and your throat all absorb those chemicals depriving them from oxygen. The partial denture is not preventing that area from absorbing them. Salt water does not wash away or reduce the toxins either.

I'm sorry and I know this is not what you want to hear, but no one can give you peace of mind when what you are doing is hazardous to your health. I think you realize that and truthfully you need to try harder to stop smoking if what you really want is peace of mind.

I wish you the courage to stop smoking for the betterment of your health.

I had my first check up post op yesterday and was "commended" by my periodontist. Needless to say I am recovering well. I have not quit smoking, but I knew I wouldn't quit cold turkey as I was an emergency surgery (I only had 7 days to prepare myself). I was told by my periodontist to try e cigs, but post op I noticed a burning sensation in my newly operated gums so I put it aside after what Brianna confirmed. I am still smoking, but still 5 cigarettes or under. I spoke to my Mom about this yesterday and we figured out I am the 8th person in 3 generations to have this disease and only 1 family member was a smoker. So far no infections and no rejecting. I still have a long recovery road as I can not get my implants until October, but I am now more hopeful!

Hi Emily,

Well that is good news but you should realize that the continued smoking is going to have a negative affect on the overall healing of this surgery. The bone graft will only be successful to a point and the growth of new bone will be limited compared to if you stopped smoking. The other thing you need to realize is that the new growth of bone will not be as solid or as healthy as it can be because you are depriving it of oxygen, etc. This will reduce the longevity of your dental implants.

I am not trying to reprimand you here, I am just being honest with you. Your dentist is aware of everything that I am telling you but he most likely feels there is no point in explaining it because you are looking for excuses to keep smoking. Cutting down the number of cigarettes per day is simply your way of justifying your habit. Blaming your periodontal disease on hereditary factors is also your way of justifying that problem.

Regarding the family history of periodontal disease. Yes, this disease has some genetic markers but you have to be a "host" to end up with it and not every member of the family will get it. Those who do will have any number of these contributing factors..... poor oral hygiene, poor diet, smoking, alcohol, chronic illness, medications, high stress, imbalance in hormones and in gut bacteria... etc.

The ways to prevent getting periodontal disease are.... eat a wholesome fresh food diet, do not smoke, do not drink alcohol in excess, stay well hydrated with water, take probiotics every day to feed your gut good bacteria, brush and floss your teeth properly twice a day and see your dentist for regular check ups to catch anything before it becomes a problem.

I hope you give some more thought to all of this and are able to make some changes for your overall health. I wish you well.