TEETH WHITENING AND TOBACCO USE
When I was in 3rd grade my teacher showed us a picture of a chimney, black with soot.
It was so gross!
Mrs Jackson told us that if we smoked cigarettes our lungs would look like this
Soooo….....
Long story short, I have never smoked a cigarette and when I tried to be cool in high school, I took a puff, and it felt like "I" was the chimney with a fire inside my throat!
Years later, I can honestly say, I don’t like any type of tobacco and I can’t stand the smell of cigarettes!
One point my teacher did not tell us was that our teeth would be brown, yellow, or black just like the chimney was black if we use tobacco!
Since that time, vaping has become "The Cool Thing". For some vaping is super cool. Vaping is even worse on your lungs and the other organs of your body because of the oil, the liquid that more easily penetrates your oral tissues and organs of your body....Not just add stains to your teeth.
Vaping contributes to oral cancer and other cancers as well.
The nicotine and ingredients in vaping cause damage to the organs of your body as well as damage to your teeth. Awful looking teeth stains are something you can’t avoid when you use tobacco and/or vape.
How Does the Damage Occur?
Inside the enamel of our teeth are tiny pores just like our skin has pores. Every time you eat or drink something dark colored or inhale tobacco these ingredients go directly into these pores.
The nicotine and tar in tobacco (cigarettes and vaping) cause your teeth to become yellow, brown, or black.
The tar ingredient is what causes the dark stains. When nicotine is exposed to oxygen it turns yellow. You are constantly breathing oxygen and this is how your teeth will turn yellow when you use tobacco.
We breathe in oxygen and it passes by our teeth and throat. The black stained chimney my teacher told me about; well this is how our teeth become black, yellow, etc.
Why are Tobacco Stains Hard to Remove?
If you use tobacco you now understand how your teeth get stained but did you know that these stains can be very difficult to remove?
Oh yes! As a dental hygienist, I will tell you, there is no fooling us hygienists when we see your black stains. We know you are using some form of tobacco and we know that we must get out the BIG GUNS to remove the stain.
Ok, That is an exaggeration but we know it is going to take extra time and work on our part to make your stained teeth pearly white.
Why tobacco stains so hard to remove? Tobacco stains are difficult to remove because they don’t happen overnight. It's day after day, after day of these tars from tobacco use that make these stains tenacious and so hard to remove.
If you are smoking more than a couple cigarettes every day, for many years, the tobacco stains don’t just remain at the enamel layer but they travel deep inside your tooth to the next layer called dentin.
If you get a lot of plaque build-up now the tobacco stains cling to the plaque build-up which makes it even more difficult to remove.
The plaque-build up and the stains from tobacco can now contribute to receding gums and receding gums can also cause sensitivity to hot, cold and even teeth whitening procedures.
When you see a receding gum line this means that the root of your tooth is exposed. The roots of our teeth are not covered by a protective layer called enamel and under the enamel is a much softer part of the tooth called dentin.
Dentin is more porous and it’s not as firm as enamel so it is very easy to stain the dentin when exposed.
How Do You Remove Tobacco Stains?
- Dental Appointments
Most of us want healthy teeth; right?
Routinely see your dentist and a dental hygienist who can examine the health of your gums and teeth.
If you use tobacco frequently or even occasionally you are in harm’s way because any type of tobacco use can cause gum disease and even oral cancer. This is a great reason to see your dentist and dental hygienist routinely.
If you have had a diagnosis of gum disease it's most likely you need to see your dental hygienist every 3-4 months for routine gum maintenance.
Gum maintenance not only removes plaque and stains but tobacco use produces cells of inflammation in your mouth . This inflammation in your mouth goes through your blood stream into your body, causing other types of systemic diseases.
Therefore, the routine dental hygiene appointment reduces the inflammatory cells which will help you live a longer, healthier life.
"Healthy Mouth = Healthy Body."
Your dentist can do an in-office whitening treatment but be aware this will take 60-90 minutes and can cost upwards of $400. Many patients do find it uncomfortable to sit under the heat LED light for 60 minutes. Teeth can become sensitive.
- Toothpaste
Toothpaste can help remove plaque and some of the ingredients in toothpastes do help create a special layer to deter future plaque buildup but toothpaste does not remove stains from your teeth.
- Teeth Whitening Serum (gel).
Whitening strips do not remove tobacco stains.
Using Celebrity Smiles LED Wireless Light Mouthpiece and 35% Carbamide Peroxide serum will help remove tobacco stains. This process of whitening your teeth when you have tobacco stains works best if you have recently had a professional cleaning by a dental hygienist.
Celebrity Smiles has one ingredient called Potassium Nitrate Fluoride which blocks the dentinal pores. This means you should not experience tooth sensitivity.
The Celebrity Smiles Wireless LED Light has two settings. The Blue LED light (15-minute setting) helps to release the oxygen inside the Carbamide Peroxide and the oxygen is what helps to whiten your teeth. The Red/Blue light has a 10-minute timer and it not only helps to whiten but the LED Red light helps to soothe and comfort while you whiten.
If you are prone to canker sores, bleeding gums or have gum inflammation, the Blue/Red light can be worn without applying the whitening serum and it will help to reduce the sores and/or inflammation.
I recommend people with sores or gum inflammation wear the Blue/Red LED light 3 times a week without any serum until the sores and/or inflammation have improved.
When Should You Whiten Your Teeth?
The best time to whitening your teeth is after you had a professional cleaning and your teeth are polished.
Most people do prefer to whiten their teeth at night when they are relaxing. I personally find the best time to be after I have brushed my teeth before bedtime and as I am relaxing and about to sleep.
After you whiten at night you rest and your teeth get a rest. Bedtime is a great time to do this simple task of whitening your teeth that provides so many benefits.
The Celebrity Smiles LED mouthpiece is waterproof so you can shower or shave while you whiten your teeth.
How do you prevent future stains?
Say “No” to Tobacco!
Yup, that’s a bold statement but if you want to live a longer and healthier life, it’s time to pick up a new hobby or healthy habit and replace that with your current tobacco use.
Talk to your dentist and dental hygienist because they have many resources available to help you kick the habit!
Next time you feel like you MUST have a cigarette or VAPE; floss, brush, rinse and then whiten your teeth with the Celebrity Smiles teeth whitening products. Use the BLUE LED Light for 15 minutes.
You never know, it could become a great distraction.
Who wants to smoke or vape right after they just whitened their teeth?
Try it. Let us know if this helps you.
Conclusion
If you want whiter teeth and if you are using some form of tobacco or vape, you will not be able to maintain your white teeth easily. It will feel like a constant battle: stains against white teeth.
The stains will alway win over tobacco!
You can’t maintain a beautiful smile, nor can you live a longer, healthier life if you choose to use tobacco or vape.
The number 1 risk factor for tobacco users is gum disease. Gum disease and systemic diseases such as heart attack, stroke, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and even Alzheimer’s are all connected.
Most importantly, a healthy, beautiful smile leads to a longer and healthier life.
Which will you choose?
Tobacco or longevity?