The majority of people know that smoking is bad for their health and are well versed on the risks they run every time they take a puff. They know that smoking is a major cause of many different types of cancer and that it can also lead to chronic lung conditions, heart disease, and more. But the impact that cigarettes can have on oral health is not as well known.
Why Do Cigarettes Stain Teeth?
Cigarettes restrict blood flow, which can impact on the body’s ability to heal itself, and smokers are also more likely to produce large amounts of dental plaque. As a result, smokers are more likely to suffer from chronic dental issues, such as gum disease and cavities.
The only way to eradicate this risk is to stop smoking altogether, but even that won’t fix the issue entirely. High levels of nicotine and tar, in combination with increased dental plaque, can lead to yellowed enamel and dentin, which means the teeth are stained both on the surface and underneath. These issues can remain even after the habit is kicked, leading to a great deal of stress for the ex-smoker.
But there are ways to remove cigarette stains on teeth, and this applies both to former smokers and to current smokers, albeit with some varying approaches depending on which camp you’re in.
How to Remove Cigarette Stains from Teeth
Removing cigarette stains is a two-step process, as there are two different stains to tackle: extrinsic and intrinsic. In layman’s terms, these are the exterior and interior stains. There are a multitude of different causes for these types of stains and they are removed in different ways. The issue with cigarette teeth stains in particular is that they can impact both the inner and outer tooth and therefore need to be tackled as follows:
Step 1
The first step is to reduce the build-up of plaque in your mouth. If you’re brushing several times a day and have good oral hygiene then you can skip this step, but only if you’re absolutely sure that is the case. Nearly 50% of Americans don’t floss daily (essential for removing plaque in those hard-to-reach places) and a huge number don’t brush often or correctly.
You can use a teeth whitening toothpaste in addition to mouthwash, but don’t expect this to turn your teeth completely white. That toothpaste will only scrub away the external stains by removing the plaque, while the mouthwash will reduce the build-up of bacteria and prevent further stains from developing.
Step 2
The second step is to bleach your teeth. This is really the only way to remove stains caused by food, drink, and cigarettes, as well as discoloration that results from age (unfortunately, our teeth naturally lose their pearly sheen as we age).
This is where Snow Teeth Whitening Kit comes in. We developed our formula to be safe for repeated use at home. Its patented, unique formula doesn’t damage your teeth like other formulas do, so it won’t cause extreme sensitivity, but it will still remove those stains and bring back that luster.
You can buy Snow Teeth Whitening here at a fraction of the price that you’d pay for a professional teeth whitening service. Just follow the instructions in the box or in our many videos. You should notice some serious improvements following the first application, but as discussed below, you may need to use it again in the future if you continue to smoke.
Getting Rid of Cigarette Stains After you Stop Smoking
The developed world is finally waking up to the dangers of smoking. In the United States there are fewer smokers than ever, with rates dropping from 42% of the population in the 1960’s to 20% in the early 2000’s and around 15% now. A lifelong smoker that bids farewell to these toxic sticks can expect to see positive results in just a few days, with everything from cardiovascular health to oral health (and even hearing) all improving.
But it may take longer for their teeth to return to their previous pearly-white state. In fact, while there will be an immediate improvement in oral health following smoking cessation, that natural whiteness won’t return unless bleaching agents are used, as mentioned above.
Contrary to what those whitening toothpastes would have you believe, no amount of brushing will eradicate stains that have developed on the inner surface of the tooth. It can certainly scrub the enamel clean, but if the yellowness is a result of dietary stains (including coffee, wine and tea as well as cigarettes) or factors like age and disease, then the only fix is to bleach them.
Getting Rid of Cigarette Stains While you Smoke
The Snow Teeth Whitening Kit can also be used successfully by someone who continues to smoke. However, even with regular brushing, flossing, and optimal oral health the yellowing will return and the teeth whitening process will need to be repeated at a later date.
The only way to keep it at bay completely is to stop smoking and to reduce other factors that can lead to discoloration, while using Snow to reset, undoing the damage done by years of smoking and taking your teeth back to their natural whiteness.
Smokers should also pay close attention to their oral health, especially as they age. Age and smoking are both big risk factors for dental decline, and it’s not just an aesthetic or practical issue either, as gum disease and bad oral health has been closely linked with heart problems and other serious health issues.
Your dentist was right all along—good oral health really does have a massive impact on your quality of life. If nothing else, it’ll keep those tooth extractions, fillings, and painful root canals to a minimum!
