Of all our vices, smoking is the worst in causing discoloration of teeth and gum disease.
Individuals who smoke usually require more dental care compared to non-smokers. Smoking cigarettes is considered one of the leading causes of tooth loss. Smoking also contributes to poor oral hygiene.
Cigarettes contain substances that can cause severe damage to your health as well as your teeth.
Cosmetic dentistry is a great way to treat discolored or damaged teeth caused by smoking. A cosmetic dentist in Ann Arbor, MI, can use cosmetic dentistry treatment procedures to restore your smile and oral health.
There Are Numerous Drawbacks To Drawing In Cigarette Smoke
Smoking cigarettes can contribute to an unsavory smoker’s breath, which can’t permanently be remedied with a mouth freshener or rinse. Smoking is known to slow saliva production, aggravate dry mouth, and increase the risk of tooth decay.
The nicotine and tar in tobacco can turn teeth from white to yellow to brown. Not only does smoking tarnish the color of your teeth, but it also creates lines around your lips that can make you lose your youthful appearance.
Smoking can also contribute to:
- Loss of the supporting bone structure
- Gum disease – Inflammation, bleeding, and receding gums
- Oral, lung, or throat cancer
- Severely stained teeth
- Bad breath, which is hard to overcome
- Worn-out enamel
- Pain when chewing
- An accelerated build-up of plaque and tartar
Patients of dentists in Ann Arbor who choose to smoke are particularly at risk for periodontal diseases. The teeth tend to loosen faster within their usually secure gum position within the mouth and do not respond well to periodontal treatment.
Smokers in Ann Arbor, MI, should be aware that bone loss can still occur even with good oral hygiene and regular visits to your dentist in Ann Arbor, MI.
Cosmetic Dental Options for Smokers And Ex-smokers
At Gasior Family Dentistry, our highly experienced team of cosmetic dentists in Ann Arbor, MI, offers a wide range of cosmetic dentistry treatments to help correct any problems you may have with your teeth, from discoloration to damaged or missing teeth.
There are a wide variety of cosmetic treatment options for smokers.
Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening is one way of reclaiming your smile after years of smoking.
Professional teeth whitening treatments can last up to a year if you have a good oral hygiene routine. Professional teeth whitening services are performed using state-of-the-art dental technology.
The most effective whitening method involves laser whitening treatment. Unlike traditional whitening methods, ultraviolet light is the most effective way to whiten your teeth. Our dental office in Ann Arbor, MI, can provide this treatment.
Porcelain Veneers
Getting veneers is relatively simple, and the upkeep is minimal if you follow your dentist’s recommendations. Porcelain Veneers are shaped into thin shells of a tooth-colored material as durable as your natural teeth. The material is bonded to the surface of one’s tooth to enhance the appearance of one’s mouth and smile. Porcelain veneers are impervious to stains and discolorations. Smoking will not alter the original color of your veneers. Although smoking cannot stain surfaces, the composite that attaches the shells to the corresponding teeth does get discolored. You’ll get brownish edges on your teeth if you continue smoking after getting veneers.
Dental Crowns
If you want to restore your tooth with a dental crown, you must prepare to quit smoking temporarily or permanently to protect the dental crown and your overall health.
A dental crown is a cap placed over your tooth to cover it, restore its shape and size, and increase its strength. It is shaped just like an actual tooth and can improve the appearance of your teeth overall. The crown is cemented into place and fully covers the visible portion of your tooth. This is a routine procedure and a great way to restore your teeth.
It may help if you refrain from smoking for at least 48 hours, during which time you may experience sensitivity from the affected tooth. This precaution is essential as a safety measure to protect your affected tooth and dental crown and prevent complications.
Dental Implants
If you are considering dental implants in Ann Arbor, MI, to replace your missing teeth, a question you can expect your dentist to ask is, ‘Do you smoke?’
Smoking is one of the major causes of tooth loss and may have contributed to the reason you now need dental implants. It also restricts healing dramatically.
Smoking can adversely affect the success of your dental implants.
Your dentist may encourage you to stop smoking completely or to significantly reduce the amount you smoke before starting implant treatment.
At Gasior Family Dentistry, our Ann Arbor dental practice experts will thoroughly review your dental issues, medical history, and smoking and social habits. To ensure the best possible outcome, it is crucial that your oral hygiene is reasonable and your gums are healthy. Any pre-existing oral health issues, such as periodontal (gum) disease or plaque, must be treated first.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding in Ann Arbor, MI, can fix chipped or slightly broken teeth by cementing them with dental material resembling resin. If you wish to fix more compromised and damaged teeth, investing in crowns, dentures, bridges, root canal procedures, or dental implants might be better.
Composite bonding can get stained or discolored from foods and liquids like coffee, tea, red wine, and smoking, but so can our natural teeth. Try to quit smoking if you can because it will discolor the bonding and increase your risk of oral cancer and gum disease.
Your dental bonding procedure’s longevity can be significantly reduced if you are not a smoker.
Gasior Family Dentistry – We Encourage Patients In Ann Arbor, MI, To Quit Smoking To Save Their Smiles, And Lives Too
It’s never too late to put an end to the damage being caused to your oral and overall health due to smoking. Once you quit smoking, the dental experts at our dental clinic in Ann Arbor, MI can repair the damage to your teeth so that even you can have a beautiful, healthy smile again.
Getting a cosmetic dentistry procedure may be a great way to reward yourself.
People who have quit smoking and improved their health deserve a better smile.
Quitting altogether is the best way to keep your teeth healthy over time. Even if you are still deciding whether to leave but want whiter-looking teeth right away, reducing how often you smoke will improve the appearance of your smile significantly in just a few weeks.
At Gasior Family Dentistry, we are proud of the smiles we have transformed without compromising quality or detail.
Contact us today for more information or to book your cosmetic dental consultation.
