A bright and whiter smile raises your confidence and lets you feel your best. Teeth whitening treatments are designed in such a way to give you that kind of smile. For lifting away stains for a radiant look, it is just perfect. But if you don’t stop smoking, you will observe some adverse changes that you did not intend to see.
Understanding what happens if you smoke after teeth whitening can help you make informed decisions about your oral health and also let you know about the treatment’s success.
Why Is Smoking Bad For Your Teeth?
Smokers should know that cigarettes contain tobacco, nicotine, and tar, which are the major substances that are highly detrimental to their teeth. When you smoke, tar and nicotine are released, absorbed into the enamel, causes discoloration. Gradually, this makes your teeth:
- Appear yellow and have brown stains, especially at the site of the gum line
- Appear very dull and darker in shade
- Your enamel turns rough due to plaque and tartar buildup, trapping more stains.
What Will Happen To My Teeth If I Smoke After Teeth Whitening?
Unfortunately, your teeth will start to turn darker and more discolored if you start smoking – the risk is highest immediately after the treatment. Dentists suggest that after teeth whitening, your teeth need extra care because the enamel is more permeable after bleaching. After teeth whitening, if you smoke, you are unknowingly increasing the chance of staining your teeth.
Why Does Smoking Alter Whitening Results?
When you smoke after whitening:
- Tar and nicotine attach to freshly whitened enamel, reducing the effects.
- Stains can return in uneven patches, giving your smile a patchy rather than bright appearance.
- For long-term smokers, deep stains may not fully respond to whitening. The results will be less noticeable than expected.
- Smoking lowers the chances of getting long-lasting results.
Advice From Dentists After Teeth Whitening
Here are a few actions you may take if you are a smoker and want to preserve your whitening results:
- Lower or quit smoking to help your whitening procedure last longer.
- Stay off cigarettes for 24-48 hours following whitening when your teeth are most vulnerable to absorbing stains.
- Brush and floss your teeth every day, using fluoride toothpaste.
- Use whitening toothpastes to limit the appearance of surface marks. Remember, it won’t bleach teeth like professional whitening.
- Get regular visits for cleaning and controlling stains.
The Last Message
A brighter smile is possible even for patients who smoke through professional whitening treatments. However, after the teeth whitening procedure, you will diminish the brightness yourself if you don’t quit smoking.
Smokers can ask their dentists how often to schedule repeat treatments. Frequent bleaching weakens the enamel and increases tooth sensitivity. Village Park Family Dentist of Cypress offers professional in-house teeth whitening to renew your smile. Call us at (281) 376-4444 to book another appointment and discover cosmetic dentistry procedures.