Dealing with Nicotine Stains on Your Teeth

Smoking does not only increase the risk of lung disease, but it also gives the teeth a dark, unsightly shade. Unlike typical stains left by pigmented food, nicotine stains are hard to remove. Brushing and flossing may not be enough. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, this dental problem can be quickly addressed.

How Nicotine Does It

The teeth acquire yellow stains due to nicotine and tar. Alone, nicotine is actually colorless, but it turns yellow when mixed with oxygen. During smoking, the nicotine and tar settle into the oral cavity and work their way into the openings of the enamel, ultimately causing the discoloration of the teeth. The good thing here is that the stains are only on the outer layer of the teeth, meaning they can be eliminated.

Prevention

The key to white teeth is maintaining good oral hygiene. In addition to brushing and flossing, rinsing the mouth with water after smoking can help prevent bad staining. Regular dental check-ups are also crucial. During the check-up, your dentist can determine if your regular smoking has caused other problems such as gum disease.

Treatment

Dentists may recommend a special toothpaste, have custom whitening trays made or bleach the teeth. This is more effective than take-home methods and whitens the teeth faster, too. Light, heat or a combination of both can be used by the dentist to intensify the whitening process. This can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the technique used.