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Many Canadians want to improve their smile after smoking habits damage their teeth. From professional care and whitening to changing smoking and eating habits, there is a lot you can still do to fix your dental health.
If you are a smoker, you must already be aware that the habit is severely impacting your dental health and your smile. Smoking can cause discolouration of teeth, increased buildup of plaque, a greater risk of gum disease, and persistent bad breath.
Smokers in Canada have 85% higher chances of gum disease compared to non-smokers. The percentage of Canadians with complete tooth loss and root decay is also higher for smokers compared to non-smokers. But the good news is that it is still possible to improve your dental health and smile with professional care, positive habits, over-the-counter solutions, and teeth whitening in Ottawa. Keep reading to learn more about these options.
10 Smile-Improving Strategies for Smokers
Here are 10 tips to improve your dental health and smile if you are a smoker.
Tip #1- Professional Dental Cleaning
A professional dental cleaning will offer you the fastest visible improvement. It involves the removal of built-up tartar, plaque, and surface strains that your toothbrush misses. If you are a smoker, you need to perform professional cleaning more often. Smoking accelerates the accumulation of stains and tar, which increases the chances of gum disease.
Here is a comparison of your teeth before and after professional care or teeth whitening in Ottawa.
| Options | Before Cleaning | After Cleaning |
| Tartar/Plaque: | Heavy buildup along the gum line and hard-to-reach spots. | Thorough removal from tooth surfaces. |
| Stains: | Deep tar stains and visible brown or yellow discolouration. | Visibly brighter, cleaner, and natural shade of tooth. |
| Gum Appearance: | Inflamed or pale appearance with bleeding gums. | Reduced inflammation and healthier-looking gums. |
| Breath: | Halitosis or persistent bad breath. | Cleaner mouth feel and fresh breath. |
Table 1: Dental Health Before and After Professional Cleaning
Tip #2- Switch to an Electric Toothbrush
If you switch to an electric toothbrush, your teeth will be cleaned with more power than manual brushing can achieve. Here are the key benefits you can expect from an electric toothbrush.
- Better Plaque Removal: The high-speed vibration or oscillation of electric brushes breaks up and removes plaque effectively.
- Stain Reduction: Your tooth’s surface will be polished, and stains will be removed more efficiently over time by the consistent motion of electric toothbrushes.
- Built-In Timers: Electric toothbrushes typically come with pressure sensors and timers. This ensures that you brush for two minutes as recommended by dentists, without causing damage to your gums.
Tip #3- Whitening Toothpaste with Low-Abrasive Ingredients
Teeth whitening in Ottawa often involves the use of whitening toothpastes. But go for the ones that use low-abrasive ingredients. Also, go for gentle polishers for removing stains without excessively wearing down your tooth’s enamel.
| Ingredients to Consider: | When Not To Overuse Whiteners: |
| Mild abrasives like calcium carbonate, hydrated silica, or baking soda. | Increased tooth sensitivity, gum irritation, or gum recession. |
| Hydrogen peroxide for chemically breaking down stains. | Worn-out enamel, exposed dentin, or existing crowns or veneers (like Lumineers Veneers in Ottawa). |
Table 2: Teeth Whitening Considerations
Tip #4- Professional Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening in Ottawa starts with stain removal. Here are the options you have.
| In-Office Whitening | At-Home Trays |
| Use of highly concentrated peroxide gel and light activation. | Use of lower-concentration gel and custom-fitted trays. |
| Fast and dramatic results. | Slow but convenient whitening over a week or two. |
Table 3: Options for Professional Teeth Whitening in Ottawa
Tip #5- Reduce Smoking & Rinse after Every Cigarette
Reducing the frequency of smoking, even if you don’t quit completely, can greatly benefit your oral hygiene and dental health. Understand that even small reductions matter. You should also develop the habit of rinsing your mouth after every cigarette to neutralise acids and adhesion.
Tip #6- Incorporate Antibacterial Mouthwash
You can use antibacterial mouthwash to prevent gum inflammation and bad breath. Chlorhexidine is a solution that is good for short-term use, typically for less than two weeks. But avoid prolonged use, as it can cause teeth and tongue staining, altered taste sensation, and soft tissue irritation.
Tip #7- Increase Vitamin C & Antioxidant Intake
Increase consumption of antioxidants and vitamin C to heal your gums and reduce inflammation. Here are the types of food you should focus on to improve dental health if you smoke.
- Fruits: Papayas, kiwi, and pineapple.
- Vegetables: Broccoli, red bell peppers, sweet potatoes, and brussels sprouts.
Tip #8- Switch to Sugar-Free Gum
Smoking already affects your teeth. So, switching to a sugar-free gum can help prevent additional harm. Chewing sugar-free gums boosts the flow of saliva. Your saliva acts as a natural cleansing agent by washing away food particles and neutralising acids. You can develop the habit of chewing sugar-free gum after snacks and meals.
Tip #9- Consider Dental Veneers or Bonding for Deep Stains
If you have deep stains and options like whitening are not having any effect, then you can consider dental bonding or veneers. Options like Lumineers Veneers in Ottawa are more convenient as they are made of ultra-thin porcelain, thus eliminating the need for tooth preparation.
The options can help you mask the long-term discolouration that happens inside the tooth. Both veneers and bonding offer significant cosmetic benefits.
Tip #10- Commit to Routine Dental Checkups
It is important to regularly visit your dentist for checkups if you are a smoker. It will help you detect gum disease, oral lesions, tooth decay, and other issues early. According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), you should visit your dentist every six months, but you may need more visits depending on your dental health.
Ready for Professional Dental Solutions for an Improved Smile?
Smoking can severely damage your smile by harming your gums, staining your teeth, and wearing out your enamel. This is why you should consider frequent visits to the dentist and seek professional care and teeth whitening in Ottawa.
You should also reduce your frequency of smoking, and focus on a diet rich in Vitamin C. So, take the first step to reclaiming your dental health and smile. Book an appointment with a professional dental care service near you today!
