Smokers' teeth get discoloured due to repeated exposure to nicotine inhaled along with cigarette smoke.
Stains develop gradually on the surface of the teeth and may not be easily noticed at first; over a period, this gradual development converts the smokers' teeth into ugly dentures.
Trying to remove these stains at home using normal teeth cleaning procedures like brushing with toothpaste or using teeth whitening rinses may not help much.
One would have to resort to more specific treatment(s).
Some of the more preferred methods for whitening smokers' teeth are discussed below: In-Office Teeth Whitening: For well entrenched nicotine stains, professional whitening at your dentist's should be the first line of treatment.
This could involve use of whitening paste, heat and/or laser lights for enhancing whiteness.
Admittedly, this may prove to be costly for many, especially if the procedure involves more than one sitting.
However, this may be a necessity for stubborn stains; once done, the smokers should take regular precautions to ensure that the teeth remain as white as possible using more economical teeth whitening kits at home.
Whitening Gels and Strips: Stains that are in the initial stages of formation could be treated with whitening stripes The strip which is generally coated with peroxide based whitening gel, is applied on the teeth and allowed to remain in contact for half an hour.
The procedure may require to be repeated for a few days for visible results.
Whitening gels, on the other hand, are used for heavily stained teeth.
The whitening product in the form of gel is applied with brush and spread over the surface of the stained teeth.
Sometimes, two application per day (remember that the teeth are heavily stained) may be advised.
Teeth Whitening Trays: Tray-based teeth whitening systems involve filling a tray (shaped similar to upper and lower dentures) with a jelly like whitening paste and wearing the tray on the dentures for a predetermined period of time which could vary from a couple hours for one day to a number of days; oftentimes, it becomes necessary to apply the trays overnight for a few days (depending on the degree of discolouration and desired level of whitening).
Side Effect: Sensitivity In many instances, smokers' teeth become heavily stained before starting the whitening treatment.
This being the case, the whitening product is applied for longer durations which may lead to the teeth becoming sensitive (e.
g.
to drinking cold liquid or eating cold foods, or even simple pressure on the dentures).
It has been observed that the whitening kits that contain peroxide or carbamide are more prone to causing such sensitivity.
As a result of such adverse reaction, EU has severely restricted the use of peroxides in any form for teeth whitening.
Happily, kits are now available for home use that do not contain peroxides.
Many of these types of non-peroxide teeth whiteners, use age old revered baking soda to help get whiter teeth.
No tooth stain is to tough for the good old baking soda to get rid of.
Stains develop gradually on the surface of the teeth and may not be easily noticed at first; over a period, this gradual development converts the smokers' teeth into ugly dentures.
Trying to remove these stains at home using normal teeth cleaning procedures like brushing with toothpaste or using teeth whitening rinses may not help much.
One would have to resort to more specific treatment(s).
Some of the more preferred methods for whitening smokers' teeth are discussed below: In-Office Teeth Whitening: For well entrenched nicotine stains, professional whitening at your dentist's should be the first line of treatment.
This could involve use of whitening paste, heat and/or laser lights for enhancing whiteness.
Admittedly, this may prove to be costly for many, especially if the procedure involves more than one sitting.
However, this may be a necessity for stubborn stains; once done, the smokers should take regular precautions to ensure that the teeth remain as white as possible using more economical teeth whitening kits at home.
Whitening Gels and Strips: Stains that are in the initial stages of formation could be treated with whitening stripes The strip which is generally coated with peroxide based whitening gel, is applied on the teeth and allowed to remain in contact for half an hour.
The procedure may require to be repeated for a few days for visible results.
Whitening gels, on the other hand, are used for heavily stained teeth.
The whitening product in the form of gel is applied with brush and spread over the surface of the stained teeth.
Sometimes, two application per day (remember that the teeth are heavily stained) may be advised.
Teeth Whitening Trays: Tray-based teeth whitening systems involve filling a tray (shaped similar to upper and lower dentures) with a jelly like whitening paste and wearing the tray on the dentures for a predetermined period of time which could vary from a couple hours for one day to a number of days; oftentimes, it becomes necessary to apply the trays overnight for a few days (depending on the degree of discolouration and desired level of whitening).
Side Effect: Sensitivity In many instances, smokers' teeth become heavily stained before starting the whitening treatment.
This being the case, the whitening product is applied for longer durations which may lead to the teeth becoming sensitive (e.
g.
to drinking cold liquid or eating cold foods, or even simple pressure on the dentures).
It has been observed that the whitening kits that contain peroxide or carbamide are more prone to causing such sensitivity.
As a result of such adverse reaction, EU has severely restricted the use of peroxides in any form for teeth whitening.
Happily, kits are now available for home use that do not contain peroxides.
Many of these types of non-peroxide teeth whiteners, use age old revered baking soda to help get whiter teeth.
No tooth stain is to tough for the good old baking soda to get rid of.
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