{"id":16246,"date":"2020-10-27T07:55:44","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T06:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/?page_id=16246"},"modified":"2024-10-01T12:01:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-01T11:01:58","slug":"smokers-teeth","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.dentaly.org\/en\/oral-health\/smokers-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"Smokers’ Teeth: How to Remove Stains from Teeth Caused by Smoking"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re a regular smoker, you may be wondering what to do about your smokers’ teeth<\/strong>. When you get yellow or brown stained teeth from smoking, the discolouration can be quite noticeable and hard to get rid of.<\/p>

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This is a pretty widespread oral health<\/a> issue, affecting millions of people in the UK. Even if you don’t smoke yourself, you likely know someone who does. In this article, we’re going to look at why smokers’ teeth get stained, and the other effects of smoking on teeth that you should be aware of. <\/p>

And of course, if you’re looking for a way to remove teeth stains caused by smoking, we have some recommendations for whitening solutions and other treatments. <\/p>

What does smoking do to your teeth?<\/h2>
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Yellow stained teeth from smoking<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

You already know that you can get stains on teeth from smoking<\/strong>. In fact, people who smoke are twice as likely<\/a> to report tooth discolouration as those who don’t. But why are smoking teeth stains so distinctive?<\/p>

Nicotine, a primary chemical substance in tobacco, becomes brown as soon as it comes into contact with oxygen. However, this chemical reaction that nicotine undergoes is not the only culprit behind smoking stains on teeth. The porous nature of the tooth enamel allows for the easy absorption of nicotine particles. This causes teeth to become discoloured, however, the staining is not uniform because of the process of inhalation. It’s usually only the edges and gum lines that show significant discolouration.<\/p>

That’s the short version of the science behind smokers’ teeth stains, and it explains why they can be so stubborn. Bad breath (halitosis)<\/a> is another way that smoking affects oral health. But, did you know smoking is bad for teeth in other ways<\/strong>?<\/p>

Does smoking cause tooth decay?<\/h3>

Although smoking does not directly cause tooth decay, it affects the mouth’s natural defence system and makes it harder for smokers to maintain optimal oral health. Nicotine reduces the flow of saliva, which promotes dry mouth symptoms<\/a>. What this means is that in people who smoke, the saliva is not thick enough to offer the same protection to teeth as in non-smokers. <\/p>

For this reason, smokers are at greater risk of tooth decay<\/strong> and gum disease<\/a> and should take extra care with their oral hygiene. Exposed tooth roots in teeth damaged by smoking can lead to heightened sensitivity<\/a> too.<\/p>

Smoking-induced tooth loss<\/h3>
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Smoking is bad for teeth and gums<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Men who smoke are 3.6 times more likely to lose their teeth than those who don’t, while for women that figure is 2.5 times. This is according to research from the University of Birmingham<\/a>.<\/p>

Why this increased likelihood of tooth loss from smoking<\/strong>? It comes back to the fact that people who smoke are more likely to develop gum disease, which is a major cause of tooth loss. It doesn’t help that smoking lowers the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream, making it harder for your gums to fight infection and heal themselves.<\/p>

Another theory is that because smoking can mask gum bleeding, patients don’t realise how serious the problem is until their teeth become loose or fall out. If you experience bleeding gums after quitting smoking, it could just be that smoking was covering up the problem.<\/p>

Mouth cancer<\/h3>

Most Brits who smoke are well aware of the increased risk of lung cancer when they smoke, but there is less awareness of mouth and throat cancer.<\/p>

This NHS publication<\/a> states that people who smoke are six times more likely to develop cancer of the mouth, throat, tongue and lips than non-smokers. In fact, 90% of people who develop these types of cancer are current or former tobacco users.<\/p>

If I quit smoking will my teeth get better?<\/h3>

Quitting smoking can have a positive effect straight away. And in 10-20 years’ time, you may have the same chances of losing teeth or developing mouth cancer as someone who has never smoked.<\/p>

However, some tooth damage from smoking is irreversible<\/strong>, so the sooner you stop, the better it’ll be for your long-term oral health. In the short video below, a dentist explains the effects of smoking on teeth, and the benefits of quitting.<\/p>

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