Smoking has been linked to many health risks such as oral and throat cancer, stroke, lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and many others. Speaking specifically about dental health, smoking can lead to problems such as tooth discoloration, buildup of tartar and plaque, bad breath, and increases your risk of getting periodontal disease.
Of course the first thing I would suggest is to quit smoking, but I know that it’s difficult. If you’re struggling with quitting and you have a problem with your teeth discoloration, there are a couple of things that you can do to remove those stains. These tips can help remove a bit of staining and prevent long-term stains, but they won’t be quite as strong as a professional whitening.
Tips for Whitening:
- Homemade whitening. You can mix 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide with 3 teaspoons of water and rinse for 1 minute. You can also mix 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda with your toothpaste and brush with this mixture once a day. Be careful with homemade whitening concoctions, they can scratch at your teeth enamel.
- Store-bought whitening. These usually come in a kit as whitening strips or whitening trays. They are like a lighter version of what a professional whitening would be. Your teeth may be more sensitive after you use them so don’t smoke immediately after removing the whitening strips or trays.
- Rinse. Just like rinsing your mouth after drinking or eating, you can also rinse your mouth after smoking. This can remove some of the bacteria from smoking that contributes to the teeth staining.
If you have any questions about teeth whitening or health concerns pertaining to smoking, please do not hesitate to call us here at Lakeway Cosmetic Dentistry.