Smoking Effect on Teeth and Gums and How to Get Rid of Stains

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We all know that smoking is extremely unhealthy in every aspect. Now, have you ever wondered how it affects your pearly whites? Well, not only does it destroy your lungs, but it also causes unimaginable damage to your oral health.

From oral cancers to gum problems, it can cause some serious dental conditions. So, not only are you putting your precious smile at risk, but you are also playing a dangerous game with your overall well-being.

Before introducing our article where we discuss the effects of smoking on oral health in more detail, let us give you a brief introduction to the topic with a few key points:

  • SMOKING HAS SEVERAL NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON ORAL HEALTH
  • 90% OF PERIODONTITIS PATIENTS ARE SMOKERS

  • SMOKING WILL SLOW DOWN THE HEALING PROCESS OF TREATMENTS

  • SMOKING AFTER DENTAL TREATMENTS IS NOT RECOMMENDED
  • THERE ARE AVAILABLE WHITENING TREATMENTS FOR TOOTH DISCOLORATION

What Smoking Does to Your Teeth and Gums?

It is no secret that smoking has many negative effects on your health, especially on oral health. If you smoke, you can expect to face problems such as:

  • ORAL CANCER
  • DENTAL CARIES
  • GINGIVAL RECESSION
  • PERIODONTITIS
  • PERIODONTAL LIGAMENT
  • NICOTINIC STOMATITIS
  • PERI-IMPLANTITIS
  • TOBACCO POUCH KERATOSIS
  • PLAQUE
  • ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
  • HALITOSIS
  • GINGIVITIS
  • XEROSTOMIA
  • ORAL LEUKOPLAKIA

Can Smoking Cause Gingivitis?

Yes, smoking is a known risk factor for gingivitis and other periodontal diseases. It slows blood flow, weakens the immune system, delays healing, and triggers plaque and tartar build-up, all contributing to the risk of developing gingivitis. Symptoms can include redness, swelling, and bleeding.

Does Smoking Affect Dental Procedures?

Since smoking decreases blood flow to the gums and weakens your immune system, there’s a chance that it’ll slow down the healing process. So, it’s not advisable to smoke after a dental procedure at least for a couple hours.

Does Smoking Affect Dental Problems More?

Yes, smoking can affect existing dental problems more. If you already have some dental problems going on, smoking will make it more challenging for the body to fight off infections and heal.

Do All Smokers Lose Their Teeth?

Not all smokers lose their teeth. However, smoking significantly raises the risk of dental problems that can lead to tooth loss. It can cause gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal disease if left untreated. As a result, you may end up with conditions such as gum recession and tooth loss.

Why Does Smoking Cause Gum Recession?

Cigarette smoke contains harmful chemicals like nicotine and tar, which restrict blood flow to the gums. This will limit the gums’ access to nutrients and oxygen, weakening the tissue and making it more prone to infections and damage from activities like chewing.

It also disrupts the body’s natural immune response, making it difficult to defend against the bacteria that cause gum disease. These combined effects create an environment that promotes the breakdown of gum tissue and eventually gum recession.

Does Gums Turn Back to Normal?

Unfortunately no, your gums won’t turn back to normal if they’ve receded due to periodontitis or similar causes. However, some treatments can be very helpful, both cosmetically and in preventing further damage.

How Long Does It Take for Smoking to Mess Up Your Teeth?

Although it can often take a while to see the negative effects of smoking on your teeth, it can also become noticeable in a relatively short period of time. You might notice discoloration and staining due to tar and nicotine within a few weeks or months.

Does Smoking Weed Affect Your Teeth?

Yes, smoking weed will affect your teeth and oral health the same way as a normal cigarette. Marijuana contains certain irritants that can irritate the gums and cause many serious gum diseases. In extreme situations, marijuana smokers can suffer from gingivitis, bleeding gums, sensitivity, marginal bone loss etc. Marijuana can also discolor the gums and form white or grey marks. Thus, persistent use of marijuana can create many temporary and permanent issues.

Is Nicotine Gum Bad for Your Teeth?

Although nicotine gum is often prescribed in Nicotine Replacement Therapy to reduce cigarette cravings, according to Advanced Cancer Treatment Centers’ advice, you should avoid using them without a doctor’s advice. They may cause short-term side effects such as bloating, indigestion, and sleep deprivation.

Is Vape Worse than Smoking?

Yes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, e-cigarettes are less harmful than regular cigarettes. That’s because regular cigarette smoke contains around 7,000 deadly chemicals, while e-cigarettes contain much less. But that doesn’t mean e-cigarettes are completely safe. The vapor you inhale from e-cigarettes can still contain potentially harmful substances, including nicotine, heavy metals such as lead, volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing agents.

Can the Dentist See If You Vape?

If you vape every now and then, your dentist probably won’t notice much during your checkup since you won’t experience much staining or other issues. However, if you are a more frequent vaper, your dentist might take notice because you’re at a higher risk for oral issues and likely to have vaper’s tongue.

After Which Dental Procedures You Cannot Smoke?

To promote healing and minimize the risk of complications, we recommend not smoking after the following dental procedures:

  • TOOTH EXTRACTION
  • PERIODONTAL SURGERY
  • DENTAL IMPLANT SURGERY
  • ROOT CANAL TREATMENTS
  • ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTS
  • ORAL SURGERIES

Why not Smoke After Tooth Extraction?

That’s because if you smoke, you can introduce harmful chemicals and heat into the extraction site, which can impede healing and increase the risk of complications such as dry socket or infection. Also, suctioning on a cigarette can dislodge an important blood clot, which is crucial for proper healing.

Can Smoker's Teeth Be Fixed?

Our bodies have an incredible capacity to heal. So it’s quite possible for damaged teeth to improve, especially if you follow a healthier lifestyle. If you’re interested in improving your oral health and reversing the effects of smoking, you can consider these methods:

  • QUIT SMOKING
  • REGULAR DENTAL CHECK-UPS
  • WHITENING TREATMENTS
  • NECESSARY DENTAL TREATMENTS
  • CONSISTENT ORAL HYGIENE
  • HEALTHY LIFESTYLE CHOICES

How to Remove Smoking Stains from Teeth

There are several options available both at home and at the dental clinic to get rid of smoke-induced tooth discoloration. First of all, you need to follow a good oral hygiene routine. Special toothpastes for smokers and coffee drinkers will help you with this. You can also use whitening agents such as hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide. These agents are also used in in-office teeth whitening treatments. However, since a qualified dentist performs these treatments, you will get the best results since possible damage is minimized.

How Should the Dental Hygiene Routine Be Like If You Smoke?

If you are a smoker, it is absolutely necessary to brush your teeth at least 2 to 3 times a day for at least 2 minutes. Not only that, you should also floss after brushing and rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash. Another habit that can help you get rid of bacteria buildup is a tongue scraper. It removes tobacco or tar particles that settle on your tongue and gives you fresher breath.

Will My Teeth Get Better If I Quit Smoking?

Although stained teeth are unlikely to improve on their own, with the help of professional teeth cleaning or teeth whitening, they can be restored to their natural color. Also, quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of serious dental problems, but also improves overall oral health.

What Improvements to Your Teeth and Gums Happen When You Quit Smoking?

Among some benefits of quitting smoking include:

  • IMPROVED GUM TISSUE
  • REDUCED RISK OF GUM DISEASES
  • BETTER BREATH
  • IMPROVED BLOOD CIRCULATION
  • BETTER RESPONSE TO DENTAL TREATMENTS
  • LOW RISK OF ORAL CANCER
  • RELIEF FROM DRY MOUTH
  • WHITER TEETH
  • STRONGER IMMUNE RESPONSE
References:
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  2. Mai X, Wactawski-Wende J, Hovey KM, et al. Associations between smoking and tooth loss according to the reason for tooth loss. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2013;144(3):252-265. doi:https://doi.org/10.14219/jada.archive.2013.0112
  3. Alkhatib MN, Holt RD, Bedi R. Smoking and tooth discolouration: findings from a national cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2005;5(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-5-27
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  9. CDC. Smoking, Gum Disease, and Tooth Loss . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published April 23, 2018. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html
  10. CDC. About Electronic Cigarettes (E-Cigarettes) . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published November 10, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/about-e-cigarettes.html
  11. Cannabis Oral Health Effects. www.ada.org. https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/oral-health-topics/cannabis-oral-health-effects

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