Tobacco’s Toll on Your Teeth and Gums
Teeth stains and other oral health issues such as tooth decay or gum disease are common problems for nicotine users regardless of whether they use e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, or cigars. Tobacco stains, and all stains from nicotine use, can be hard to remove. Often teeth stains can set into the deeper layers of the teeth so they are resistant to typical whitening methods. The effectiveness of any teeth whitening method will depend on its strength and how deeply set into the teeth the stains or discolorations are.
Options For Removing Tobacco Stains From Teeth
- At-home whitening. Using at-home whitening methods such as toothpaste that contains baking soda, whitening mouthwashes, and over-the-counter whitening strips can all help whiten teeth. However, most at-home options won’t be able to affect deeper, older stains.
- Professional whitening. In-office whitening treatments use much higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide than are available or advisable for at-home use. That’s why professional treatments are the best way to remove tobacco stains or any nicotine stains from teeth. At Sound Dental we often perform teeth whitening treatments that use lights that speed up treatments alongside a protective cover for the gums to reduce irritation.
Preventing Further Tobacco Staining
- Rinsing and staying hydrated. Rinsing your mouth with water after using tobacco or nicotine is an easy way to reduce some of the risks of stains. Nicotine use often reduces saliva production which allows bacteria to thrive. By staying hydrated and reducing leftover residue from tobacco use the risk of staining goes down.
- Good oral health habits. Brushing twice a day and regularly flossing are the two pillars of good oral health. If you are currently or have previously used tobacco or nicotine products maintaining good habits is even more important.
Kick the Habit, Save Your Smile
While there are ways to remove stains damage to gums is harder to correct. Oral tobacco use such as dipping pouches or loose tobacco will have a significant impact on the health of gums with regular use. Nicotine use reduces saliva which increases bacteria growth, increasing the risk of cavities and infections. The best way to prevent further staining, damage, and other negative effects is to reduce and end tobacco use.
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