Smokers Teeth – Reversing The Staining
Cosmetic dentistry – rebuilding attractive smiles in Burton.
There are many good reasons to stop smoking, most of which are beyond the scope of a dental blog. Even in the dental world though, there are obvious benefits such as reduced risk of oral cancer and gum disease. Perhaps the most noticeable visual effect of smoking though, is that of the colour of a smoker’s teeth.
Depending on the length of time and number of cigarettes that have been smoked, a patient’s teeth may have a slightly yellow colour or a full blown dark brown colour from the tar that has stuck there. At Mike Allen’s dental practice in Burton, we are always especially happy to help ex-smokers to restore their teeth, giving them an ongoing reason not to start again.
There are three main methods that can help to restore the whiteness of a smoker’s teeth as follows:
Hygienist
In addition to the oral health benefits of seeing the hygienist at our Burton practice, the thorough teeth cleaning that is provided can remove some surface staining from the teeth. As well as brushing and removing tartar from between the teeth, an ultrasonic tool shatters hardened deposits on the surface of your teeth, usually whitening them a little.
Teeth whitening
Although a professional clean can certainly help to whiten teeth, it is not only surface staining which causes teeth to appear yellow or dull in colour. This is often due to a darkening of the inner part of the tooth. This can only be improved by using a teeth whitening procedure. These procedures are safe and effective in the hands of a dental professional and can whiten your teeth by up to eight shades. It is important to note that teeth whitening is now only legal (and safe) when performed by a registered dentist, so please look out for the illegal whitening boutiques and services which still exist.
Dental veneers
This is the most invasive of all three procedures and one that is usually performed where other solutions are unlikely to be effective enough to produce a great smile.
Dental veneers, rather than whitening the teeth, replace the front surface enamel with a thin porcelain layer. This does require the removal of an equivalent thickness of enamel from the front of the tooth so that the veneers can be fitted snugly and comfortably. Once fitted though, veneers offer a good life span and are relatively trouble free, given appropriate aftercare. They are an excellent option for those whose teeth are heavily stained or have suffered minor cracks and chips and can change an unpleasant looking set of teeth into an attractive smile.
At Mike Allen’s dental practice, we always aim to provide our patients with the best possible outcome, whatever the procedure. We will always offer unbiased advice to allow you to make an informed decision based on our recommendations.
If you would like to discuss how our Burton cosmetic dentists can improve not only the health, but the appearance of your teeth too, please call us on 01283 845345.