How to remove tobacco stains from teeth

Today I will show you how to remove tobacco stains from teeth. Smoking is not only injurious to your health, but to your teeth as well. While the topic of smoking affecting your lungs is a completely different topic and lengthy topic altogether, here we will focus on the effect of smoking on your teeth and ways to get rid of it. Continuous smoking can cause tobacco stains on your teeth. The two main ingredients in tobacco that cause staining in your teeth are tar and nicotine.

Tar deposits on your teeth can cause them to turn yellow or black, while the nicotine stains can cause discoloration and dental issues, if not treated on time. Tobacco stains, over a period of time, can lead to tooth decay and gum-related ailments. In some cases, these tobacco stains can cause a lot of damage to the gums. Too much irritation and damage to the gums can lead to the loss of teeth as well. So, it is very important to treat these tobacco stains on teeth immediately.

Listed below are some effective tips that you can try to get rid of these stains naturally. While these methods are good enough to get rid of the stains in most cases, it is highly recommended to consult an expert and understand the health of your teeth well before you proceed to clean them.

Having a good oral care routine

The best method to remove tobacco stains from teeth is to have a good oral routine. You have to brush your teeth twice a day. Brush for at least two minutes for a thorough cleaning routine. Use a proper toothbrush that gets to all parts of your teeth while brushing. Rinse your mouth well before brushing. This will ensure that the plaque, fresh stains and debris collected in your teeth will be out before you start to brush. Get your teeth cleaned twice a year, and check for issues if any to stay on top, as far as your oral health is concerned.

Using teeth whitening products

If the tobacco stains are very deep, and spread on all your teeth, it not only means that you have been smoking for a long time, but it also means that simple home remedies may not be enough to get rid of those stains. In this case, you can opt for teeth whitening solutions. Professional whitening treatments are the best when the tobacco stains are very severe. In these treatments, treat your teeth with a solution of peroxide, and expose them to strong light rays. This is a painless process, and it will work in case of deep to very deep tobacco stains.

This method is quite costly, but every penny you pay is worth its weight in gold. This is because the strong light rays and the hydrogen peroxide solution used by the experts can make your teeth at least 6 shades brighter than before, in a single visit! Usually, whitening done by professionals should last for up to 3 years. However, if you are a heavy smoker, the effects may last for a year only.

Using a take-home cleaning kit

If you are scared to visit your dentist, you don’t have to fret too much. Today, you have many take-home cleaning kits that can help you whiten your teeth from the comfort of your home. These kits come with custom trays that can be used to seat your teeth. You will also get a professional-grade whitening gel along with this kit. While your teeth sit on the trays perfectly, you can whiten your teeth easily, exactly as per the instructions on the package.

Usually, these kits will require you to whiten your teeth once a day for 30 minutes. Within two weeks, many people have noticed a vast improvement in the reduction of tobacco stains from their teeth, after using these cleaning kits. These are more affordable than professional whitening solutions, and the effects will last even up to 2 years, if you maintain a proper oral care routine.

Using Baking soda and peroxide

• Add a few drops of hydrogen peroxide solution to a bowl of baking soda.
• Mix the contents well to form a paste-like consistency.
• Rub the paste over the enamel of your teeth for about 30 seconds only. There is no need to apply this paste on your teeth for a long time, as the ingredients have abrasive properties.

Using over-the-counter whitening solutions

You will find many tooth-whitening toothpastes in the market today. For slight discoloration, or fresh tobacco stains, you can try these products. Always check the product label, and buy only toothpastes that contain hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite. These can get rid of the stains on the surface of your teeth, thanks to their whitening properties.

Some general tips

• The best solution to remove tobacco stains from teeth is to quit smoking. If you can’t do that, you should at least follow a proper dental care routine. Remember to rinse well and brush your teeth thoroughly right after you smoke. You have to do this every time you smoke, in order to prevent tobacco stains from settling on your teeth.
• Use a hydrogen peroxide mouth to clean your teeth daily, if you are a heavy smoker. A good idea is to brush your teeth, while having the mouthwash inside your mouth. Hold the mouthwash, while you push the brush nicely inside your mouth through your lips. Brush thoroughly to get rid of tobacco stains.
• You can invest in a bottle of hydrogen peroxide to get rid of tobacco stains from teeth easily. Remember to use the diluted version of this chemical when rinsing. Mix a few drops of hydrogen peroxide in a glass of water, rinse your mouth properly and spit the solution out after 10 seconds. This will reduce the yellowing of your teeth due to the tobacco stains.
• Before using DIY teeth-whitening solutions, it is better to consult a dentist. Sometimes, these solutions may contain excessive bleach content. Bleach can cause tooth sensitivity and gum decay, if used in excessive quantities.
• Heavy smokers must go for regular dental cleanings (preferably once every 6 months) to get rid of the tobacco stains from their teeth.