Bleaching for smokers: How to give your smile a new shine

Why does smoking discolour my teeth?

Smoking makes your teeth appear darker, which some people find unattractive. But what is the reason for this? The discolouration of teeth due to smoking is caused by tar, the chemical found in cigarettes. Tar sticks to the surface of your teeth and steadily builds up with each cigarette. The tar contains colour pigments that leave dark deposits on the enamel of your teeth, causing discolouration. In addition, nicotine itself has a yellowish colour and can discolour the teeth if it is not removed quickly enough. Smoking also reduces the flow of saliva that keeps our mouths clean. Without sufficient saliva production, bacteria are more easily deposited on tooth surfaces, which in turn leads to thinner teeth.

What can I do about smoker's teeth?

The good news is that there are ways to get rid of discolouration and get bright white teeth. Bleaching is a popular option for whitening teeth discoloured by smoking, as it can effectively remove both tar and nicotine deposits.

There are different bleaching methods using different bleaching agents for whitening teeth. Here is a brief overview:

Power bleaching is a professional bleaching treatment that is performed in the dentist's office. The bleaching agent consists of a combination of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. This method is quite aggressive and can cause pain to the gums and hypersensitivity. However, the method is effective and gives white teeth in a very short time.

At ALPINE WHITE we offer various home bleaching products for whitening your teeth at home, as well as in-office bleaching, which is a gentle alternative to radical power bleaching. The bleaching gel in our products, as with in-office bleaching, is peroxide-free and based on tooth-friendly ingredients, which is why the bleaching procedure does not cause any toothache and even supports your oral hygiene.

Make sure that veneers, fillings and other implants are not whitened with a whitening treatment, but only brought back to their original colour.

Want to know more about the different whitening methods? Then read this article.

Can I smoke again directly after tooth whitening?

No, it is not recommended to smoke immediately after bleaching. Whitening treatments do remove tar and nicotine deposits, but the effects of smoking can quickly undo these results if you start smoking again in the first few days afterwards. Stopping smoking for a while can also normalise your saliva flow, making it less likely for bacteria to build up in the mouth.

What do I have to look out for after teeth whitening?

It is important that you maintain good and regular dental hygiene. After a whitening treatment, the enamel can be more vulnerable and sensitive than usual. Therefore, it is recommended that you do not eat any sour or staining foods for 24 hours to allow the enamel to recover and strengthen its defences against further discolouration.

Staining foods and stimulants include:

• Beetroot
• Ketchup
• Black tea
• Coffee
• Red wine

Light-coloured foods, a so-called white diet, help to further whiten the teeth. For example, eat cauliflower or dairy products. You can read more about a healthy diet in this article.

Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste and flossing also helps to keep your teeth healthy. This removes bacteria and plaque that have built up. Be careful not to use mouthwash too often as it can stain your teeth.

Are there other solutions than professional bleaching?

Yes, there are a lot of solutions other than professional whitening. Make sure you eat a tooth-friendly diet and maintain good oral hygiene.

As already mentioned, at ALPINE WHITE we offer you home whitening products, which you can get at a reasonable price. Our products not only whiten your teeth, but also protect you from dental diseases such as caries and gingivitis. Our whitening strips whiten your teeth in a sustainable and safe way.

You should also have your teeth professionally cleaned on a regular basis to remove plaque, tartar and food debris and to brighten your teeth. At the end of a dental hygiene, your teeth are fluoridated with fluoride gel.