What to do For Smoker’s Teeth, Gums, and Breath

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Everybody knows that smoking is bad for your health. You’ve seen the horrific pictures on the cartons and the tragic commercials for quitting. The worst of these was the image of a young woman smiling through blackened and yellowed teeth. Are ‘smoker’s teeth’ really that bad?

When you smoke, your teeth are exposed to tobacco and nicotine. Over time, this causes yellow, stained teeth and bad breath. It also affects your sense of taste, so if you’re a foodie, add flavour to your list of reasons to quit! But the worst thing about smoking and your teeth is this: with a lower immune system, you are at greater risk for things like gum disease and oral cancer.

Signs of Smoker’s Teeth

Having unhealthy teeth can make you feel nervous and self-conscious. Fortunately, if you catch the problem early, there are many things you can do to prevent smoker’s breath and teeth. Keep a look out for these early signs:

  • Tooth discolouration (grey, black, yellow)
  • Plaque and tartar buildup
  • Loss of bone within the jaw
  • Weakening enamel or chipping
  • Tooth loss

Your teeth aren’t the only thing about your mouth that smoking impacts. Keep reading to answer all your smoking dental concerns.

Signs of Smoker’s Gums

There are many health consequences to smoking. In general, you can expect an increased risk of oral cancer and a decreased success rate of implant procedures. Take a look at this list for the early signs of smoker’s gums:

  • Bad Breath
  • Inflammation of the salivary gland openings
  • Increased risk of leukoplakia (white patches in the mouth)
  • Increased risk of gum disease

Are you worried about oral cancer? Check out our article on how you can book your screening appointment here.

How to Whiten Smoker’s Teeth

The nicotine and tar in tobacco smoke cause teeth stains with repeated use. Brushing your teeth twice a day is one of the best ways to improve your teeth’s appearance, but what else can you do? Make sure to book regular dentist appointments and discuss how quitting can benefit your smile. In the meantime, consider a toothpaste with ingredients that fight discolouration. These include:

  • Baking soda
  • Coconut oil
  • Turmeric
  • Activated charcoal
  • Baking soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide

Over-the-counter teeth whitening products can also be very helpful in eliminating troublesome teeth-smoking stains. Whitening strips or gels contain bleaching ingredients that do a serviceable job at eliminating stains. However, for tough cases, professional office cleaning is the best option.

Nobody likes to have stained teeth! Check out this article for tips on getting a whiter, brighter smile.

Smoker’s Teeth vs Non-Smoker’s Teeth

For some people, an image is worth a thousand words. By now you know that smoking rots both your teeth and gums, causing bad breath, discolouration, and bad health. To learn this lesson, check out this comparison of smokers’ teeth vs non-smokers’ teeth. It goes to show you just how damaging smoking can be!

And it’s not just for cigarette smokers either! According to the results of a 23-year-long study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, cigar and pipe smokers experience an equivalent amount of discolouration, bad breath, and risk of disease. But don’t worry, here’s an example of how professional whitening can help restore your smile.

Stop smoking to protect your teeth!

Ready to brighten those pearly whites? Contact us now!

FAQ About Smoking and Your Teeth

Looking for quick information about the effects of smoking on your teeth and gums? Look no further.

Do teeth whiteners work for smoker’s teeth and gums?

Depending on the amount of time that you’ve been smoking, over-the-counter teeth whitening products may be enough. Sure, they’ll definitely help a bit, but a perfect smile is often only obtainable through a professional whitening service.

Check out this blog on different whitening options, or contact us at 1-855-465-4752.

Is vaping better for dental health?

While there isn’t any tobacco in e-cigarettes and they don’t produce smoke, these products still contain other chemicals and heavy metals that are bad for the teeth. Although amounts are often less than cigarettes and cigars, they’re still not good for you. The nicotine in these products can cause all sorts of problems like damaged gum tissue, bad breath, and dry mouth.

Does smoking damage your teeth and gums?

Yes, yes, absolutely and irrefutably yes. Smokers are more prone to gum disease, which is an infection of bacteria and tartar beneath the gum line. This results in inflammation and a long list of dental problems. If you are currently a smoker, the best thing you can do for your dental health is to quit. The best news yet is that there are so many programs and techniques like this one to help you in your journey.

If I quit smoking, will my teeth improve?

It doesn’t matter how long you’ve smoked, quitting improves your oral health. It also reduces the chances of gum disease, tooth loss, and bad breath. Multiple studies have been completed that demonstrate these results. It’s never too late to quit, even if you’ve been smoking for decades! You’ll see benefits in as little as three days, and in three years, it will be like having a new mouth!

How can I fix smoker’s breath?

The best way is to quit! Smoker’s breath is caused by the early stages of gum disease or dry mouth from inactive salivary glands. But if you’re looking for quick solutions, you can try a few things out:

  • sugarless gum
  • frequent brushing
  • antibacterial mouthwash
  • increased hydration

The best way for a permanent fix, though, is a professional cleaning service. Contact Dawson Dental to find out more about our cleaning services. If you’re not ready to quit yet, there are still ways for you to take care of your teeth. Make sure you have good dental habits and consider fluoride toothpaste. Check out our article on dental fluoride here!

Conclusion: Smoking Causes Bad Breath and Bad Dental Health

With all the information out there, you are right to have smoking dental concerns. Countless scientific reviews show that smokers have an approximately 80 percent increased risk for bone loss and periodontal disease than non-smokers. Smoking majorly affects the immune system. An unhealthy immune system causes all sorts of problems, like gum disease. Without a healthy and robust immune system, your oral health is jeopardized. If having a healthy white smile is important to you, then quitting smoking is the number one thing you can do to improve your smile! So what are you waiting for? Contact us now to talk about how quitting smoking and professional whitening services can save your smile!

 

Have more questions? The power of a beautiful smile is in your hands. Dawson Dental offers premiere dental clinics in Toronto and throughout the GTA. For more information, call us at 1-855-406-2742. If your tooth is still throbbing like it’s trying to escape your mouth, give us a call and book your appointment or virtual consultation. And check us out on social media!

Looking for more information about your dental health? Check out our blog on the common causes of toothaches here. Dawson Dental has all your questions and concerns covered.