With all the latest hacks for teeth whitening today, smokers are just one of the types of people who are hoping to achieve real results.
Like most habits, smoking is one that’s tough to beat. Most smokers today started when they were in their 20s and have been smoking for 10 to 20 years. Because of this, they’ve developed some side effects which are both short-term and long-term. Teeth discoloration is one of them.
The most common warning health experts present to smokers is the potential diseases that make them more susceptible to. Heart disease, diabetes, brain deterioration, and most especially, lung cancer.
For some smokers, they are not as alarmed as these health effects, rather they are more worried about the physical effects their habit brings. Thinning hair, wrinkles, dark lips, and of course, yellow teeth.
Unbeknownst to a lot of people, our teeth are very porous. This means that our biters have small pores or holes that can absorb, similar to a sponge. Nicotine, one of the main ingredients of cigarettes, causes discoloration in the teeth. It’s like drinking coffee, energy drinks, or sodas; it doesn’t matter how little the quantity, consuming it regularly causes your teeth to absorb the elements that cause the yellowing. Over time, it can turn into a permanent body feature.
Of course, there are other habits that can cause teeth discoloration. Coffee and cigarettes are just a common combination. Here are some of the other factors that can cause yellowing of the teeth:
As obvious as it seems, not being able to take care of your teeth is the highway to having discolored teeth. Over time, it can transform into gum disease and even lead to permanent loss of your teeth.
Can’t say no to those doughnuts? Consuming more than the recommended amount of sugar can increase the risk of developing cavities, which can weaken the teeth and cause them to turn yellow. They might be the cause of your toothaches, too.
Sugar isn’t the only culprit that causes tooth discoloration. Your favorite beverages other than coffee also contribute to having yellow mouth. If you love wine, sodas, and fruit juices more than anything, your teeth will have to stay a color other than white for a while.
Don’t worry. Not all hope is lost. Although being a smoker means that your efforts to achieve a whiter will require more than a non-smoker would. That’s because you’re trying to reverse the effects of a habit that you’re still doing.
As you continue to smoke, your teeth continue to absorb the nicotine and tar (which are the main ingredients of cigarettes) and keep discoloring your teeth. If you ask us, that’s the least of your problems since you’re already aware of the other more serious medical conditions habitual smoking can lead to. But that’s not the reason you’re here.
So, what can you do to find some remedy to your yellow teeth?
Like many habits, we know that quitting smoking is hard to do. But if that is the main culprit for your yellow teeth, then the least you can do is to cut back on it.
You might be thinking: what difference does it make? It’s simple, really. The lesser cigarette sticks you puff, the less tar and nicotine goes into your gums (and body). Your body will then have just enough room to recover.
Cutting back is also the first step to ultimately quitting. As you get used to having fewer sticks, you can further decrease what you smoke. Before you know it, you’ll be down to have 1 or 2 sticks a day to not smoking at all!
Now is the time to stock up on all dental products that can whiten your teeth. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, you name it. With so many dental products that promise whiter teeth is x number of days, it’s hard to find which work and which doesn’t.
One thing to look for when purchasing teeth whitening products is to ensure that they have the active ingredient, fluoride. This ingredient eliminates cavities in your mouth and protects it from bacteria. Keeping your teeth bacteria- and cavity-free also gives them a pearly-white shine.
Another thing to look for are well-known ingredients that are proven to whiten your teeth naturally, such as baking soda, lemon, and charcoal (which can be found in our charcoal-infused dental floss here).
Whitening your teeth shouldn’t be expensive and complicated. If you’re stuck in a habit that will constantly discolor your teeth, then going for costly in-office whitening treatments will all be in vain.
However, you can get some quick, non-invasive, and affordable teeth whitening kits at home. With the powerful of UV light and a powerful teeth-whitening gel, you can have teeth a few shades lighter in a short amount of time.
If you’re considering on trying out teeth whitening treatments, you can do some research to see what your options are. You can also look at other at-home teeth whitening hacks by reading this blog.
No one can give you better advice than your dentist, especially when it comes to your teeth. Most people think that dentists only work with broken teeth, but they also work on the aesthetics of your teeth.
Of course, prepare a short lecture and a brochure or two about how smoking affects your oral health and your overall health. But if you’re that determined to whiten your teeth while you’re working on your smoking habit, your dentist can be of great help.
To wrap that all up, the only way to really pave the way to permanent, healthy, white teeth is to quit smoking. It’s not the end, though. There are still ways to help you regain your smile. All you have to do is start!
