Smoker’s Teeth — How Dangerous Is It?

What are the products for best teeth whitening for smokers? There are plenty of different kinds of whitening toothpaste, gels, and strips that can help with stained teeth. But they will solve only one type of problem. Smoking can cause numerous other conditions, and it can be more than harmful to your oral health. 

If you are looking for ways to improve your conditions, you can always take a look at cosmetic dentistry in Mount Prospect and the treatments they offer. But there are a couple of other things that you need to know about smoking and how it can affect your oral health. 

What Happens to Your Teeth When You Start Smoking?

We all know that smoking is not healthy. It can affect blood pressure, lungs, throat, and other parts of the body. But did you know it can also affect your teeth? One of the first things that will happen is that teeth will lose their whiteness. While it might not seem like a big deal, it is just the beginning, and it will not be long before other, more serious issues make an appearance.

If you are a long-time smoker, you might experience loss of taste and smell, and it can also affect your gums, immune system and even lead to tooth loss and oral cancer. Since tobacco can reduce oxygen in the body, it will also delay the healing process. If you just started smoking, the situation won’t be as drastic. But it will get worse as time goes by. 

Teeth Stains

As we mentioned before, teeth stains are quite common among smokers. Tobacco can cause enamel discoloration, and these smoking stains are not easy to get rid of. One of the ways you can improve the situation is by brushing your teeth several times a day, but that is not a guaranteed permanent solution.

There are also special kinds of toothpaste for people who are looking to whiten their teeth, and there are a couple of ingredients you should look for in them. They include hydrogen peroxide, coconut oil, baking soda, turmeric, and activated charcoal. If you are looking to try out homemade solutions, you can always mix baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. Just be sure not to overdo it since it can damage your teeth. 

Of course, the most efficient solution is to use whitening products. These are over-the-counter solutions that can quickly whiten your teeth a bit, and you can find them in the form of gels, whitening strips, or agents that are applied to teeth. 

Of course, if the situation is too serious, the best course of action would be to go for professional teeth whitening. Regardless of your option, always talk to your dentist and hear what they have to recommend. 

Can It Damage Teeth and Gums?

Yes. Smoking affects the bloodstream, and your gums are constantly affected by the increased heat that comes with cigarette smoke. All that will weaken the immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight gum infection. Furthermore, if you already have some kind of gum disease, smoking will make it more difficult for your body to fight back, and it will take longer for you to heal. 

The treatment you will need is based on the condition and type of disease you have. In some cases, the procedure can involve deep cleaning, mouth rinsing, or even surgery. 

The longer you smoke, the more difficult it will be to repair the damage caused by it. And, of course, the more challenging the process of quitting will be. That doesn’t mean that it is impossible to quit, only that some people might find it too difficult. 

Is It Reversible? What Happens When You Quit Smoking?

Some problems with oral health that are caused by smoking can be eliminated after you quit. It will also reduce the chances of getting gum disease and eliminate bad breath. As for your teeth, they don’t regenerate with time. If there is a problem caused by smoking, like cavities, it won’t disappear when you stop smoking. 

That means that you will still need to address the problem at hand. But an improvement in oral hygiene is just one of many benefits you will notice if you quit smoking. You will also lower the chances of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and many other health problems. 

As soon as you stop smoking, you will start noticing an improvement in your overall health. So, you might want to consider quitting to avoid having problems with your teeth and gums. 

What Can You Do?

Based on the problem you have, you will face several different options. For teeth stains, whitening treatment is always a good option. There are numerous teeth whitening products you can find on the market, and they can help you if you have a smoker’s teeth. 

But that applies only to those that have problems with teeth color. If teeth are damaged, the only other solution is to visit a dentist. The type of treatment depends on the condition, and it can vary from using a mouthwash and smoker’s teeth whitening products to cosmetic dentist procedures. 

The best first step is to quit smoking completely since it might eliminate problems like bad breath and gum inflammation. While that is not the easiest thing in the world, there are ways you can achieve it on your own. You can also talk to your doctor and see if they know any methods that will be helpful to you. To quit smoking, avoid possible triggers, keep yourself busy, and focus on the end goal. No one says it will be easy, but it will do wonders for your health. 

Moreover, you won’t need to ask yourself how to whiten smokers’ teeth if you quit smoking. Regular brushing and whitening products will be able to do the trick.