How You Can Get Rid of Smoking Stains

Quitting smoking is the first step to getting rid of smoking stains. Smoking not only affects your blood pressure, heart rate and body temperature, but your teeth as well. Smoking stains on your teeth from nicotine are inevitable. If you smoke, you will get smokers’ stain. There is no way to avoid that, but to get rid of the stain, it is best to stop smoking completely.

Dental Problems for Smokers

A regular smoker has an increased chanced of being affected by a number of dental problems. Bad breath is the least of the concerns for a smoker. The observable problem is tooth discoloration, whereas inflammations of the glands and gums, as well as tooth decay, are also potential concerns that may warrant a visit to the dentist. There is also an increased risk of white patches inside the mouth. A smoking person may have a higher chance of developing oral cancer as well.

Guidelines for Smokers to Follow

It is often said that a lot of smokers are willing to stop smoking but fail to do so; quitting is obviously the best way to get rid of stains. In the meantime, following the steps mentioned below may help with the stains and oral health as well.

• Brushing twice or preferably three times a day and using mouthwash cleans the mouth and keeps the dental plaque to a minimum. Removing nicotine along with tar can keep the mouth healthy and maintain your oral hygiene too. Flossing every night before bed should be another ritual to follow, to ensure removal of any particles between the teeth and in the gum area.
• Rinsing the mouth often, especially after consuming nicotine products, can get rid of the bacteria affecting dental enamel.
• Using a smoker’s toothpaste, which contains higher amounts of a whitening agent to reduce stains, can help.
• Visiting the dental hygienist twice a year can solve the problem. A dental hygienist applies a bleaching agent to the enamel of the teeth and leaves it on for a certain amount of time after cleaning the teeth. Several follow-up treatments may be required, depending on the extent of the staining.
• Eating different citrus fruits can generate acidic saliva which will naturally whiten teeth.

Smoking is a bad habit which turns into addiction over time. Understanding the health risks and the possible damage it can cause may motivate you to stop smoking. People who like to smoke need family support and sometimes professional help to let go of a habit that is like a friend. Most smokers find smoking comforting and hard to let go. It is probably best for everyone around you–including you–if you stop smoking and enjoy your less-stained teeth. If you want white teeth while smoking, it is best to ask for professional help instead of doing home treatments, which can do more harm than good for your oral health.