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Teeth whitening is a way to get a snow-white smile, which can be a tempting option for cigarette smokers. Tobacco smoke contributes to the formation of discoloration and unsightly plaque on the teeth. The in-office whitening treatment will help lighten the enamel, but for a smoker, the effect may fade quickly. Teeth whitening by smokers requires adherence to additional recommendations.
Smoking and discoloration
There are various causes of discoloration and plaque build-up on the teeth. Some people have a naturally darker bone or a diet rich in coloring. Worse condition of the teeth also occurs with improper oral hygiene. One of the main reasons for the darkening of the teeth is also smoking. The change in the color of the teeth is particularly quickly noticed by smokers who regularly drink coffee, tea or fruit juices.
Unfortunately, the very smoking of cigarettes promotes the formation of tartar and leads to yellowing of the teeth. Such a result will appear with regular smoking, and not only the tooth tissue, but also the fillings will become discolored. Traditional cigarettes contain tar and can therefore also form a dark deposit on the teeth. Another consequence of reaching for tobacco-containing products is the recession of the gums, as a result of which the roots are exposed and the risk of caries development increases. Such phenomena increase tooth sensitivity and may be a contraindication to their whitening.
Whitening of teeth discolored by cigarette smoke
At the outset, it should be noted that teeth whitening will not be effective for a heavy smoker. Even if the treatment itself brings an impressive result, the effect will not last long if you do not break the habit of smoking. You should also be careful with home whitening methods, including toothpaste for smokers. If used for a long time, they can damage the enamel surface.
Before the smoker decides on the preferred one teeth whitening method, should go to the dentist’s office for tartar removal and sandblasting. These procedures are required before teeth whitening properly, but it can lighten your teeth on its own. Among the specialized whitening treatments, the most popular are the overlay method and single-session whitening.
Read also:
- Teeth whitening – home methods or at the dentist’s?
- Whitening and tooth sensitivity – yes or no?
- Can all teeth be whitened?
Bleaching, cigarettes and cancer
Heavy smokers should be aware that bleaching substances in combination with cigarette smoke, they increase the risk of developing oral cancer. After one session bleaching, you should refrain from smoking for three days. In the case of overlay teeth whitening, which can take up to several weeks, you have to give up smoking for the duration of the treatment. An ideal solution would be quitting cigarette smoking before going to the whitening treatment. This would remove the carcinogen and make it easier to keep the teeth white for a long time.
Teeth whitening recommendations for smokers
Smokers must follow the same recommendations as other users teeth whitening services. Therefore, it is necessary to follow a white diet and use pastes and liquids recommended by the dentist to reduce hypersensitivity and preserve the effect of enamel brightening. Complementary to the white diet is withdrawal from cigarettesincluding electronic cigarettes. If the resulting color of the teeth is to remain at least near the lower limit of the estimated effectiveness of a given whitening method, it will be necessary to quit smoking. Otherwise, new discoloration will appear on the enamel very quickly.
We recommend Perlax Antibacterial whitening toothpaste. It is also worth using ApaCare Repair Tooth Remineralization Gel for discoloration. It should be applied 1-2 times a day after brushing your teeth.