Norwood Dental

How to remove nicotine stains from teeth” is one of the most commonly-asked questions right now as smoking and chewing tobacco have become ingrained habits for many. 

Smoking is not just bad for your body but also affects your oral health. Smokers tend to have yellow teeth because nicotine erodes the enamel and also leaves stains on your teeth.

Chewing tobacco is as bad as smoking because when you put tobacco in your mouth, the nicotine present in the tobacco leaves mixes with your saliva bathing your teeth in dark brown tannins.

How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Teeth?

Nicotine and tar are substances that are found mostly in tobacco products. Like the skin, the outer part of your teeth (enamel) also has pores, and nicotine often gets trapped in them. 

Even smokeless tobacco products like vapes also contain nicotine which harms your teeth the same as smoking or chewing tobacco.

Additionally, your teeth also have tiny cracks in the enamel. This part of the tooth has the highest chance of getting stains from nicotine. Nicotine stains can be removed from your teeth by various methods. We will discuss them in greater detail below. 

Is There Any Chance that Nicotine Can Damage Your Teeth Beyond Staining? 

When a person searches for “How to remove nicotine stains from teeth?” they also want to know about the additional damage which can be caused by nicotine intake.

According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), if a person smokes, then there is a high chance that their immune system may be weaker in comparison to someone who doesn’t smoke.

CDC points out that people consuming tobacco products can also suffer from gum disease. In comparison to non-smokers, smokers double the chance of having gum diseases. Smoking while dealing with gum damage makes it harder to heal your gums.

How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Teeth

How to Remove Nicotine Stains from Teeth

The ideal way to remove nicotine stains from your teeth is to follow proper oral hygiene. It means you must follow a routine of brushing, flossing, and using an antiseptic mouthwash.

Sometimes, following good oral hygiene can not be enough. If you have stubborn stains, then simply brushing and flossing twice daily won’t be effective. Here are some methods you can follow at your home to remove nicotine stains from teeth. 

Home Remedies to Remove Nicotine Stains from Teeth 

Home remedies are used to remove nicotine stains from the enamel of your teeth. The measures that can be taken at home include:

  • Baking Soda
  • Brushing after smoking
  • Mouthwash
  • Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Baking Soda

Experts suggest adding a few drops of peroxide to baking soda, mixing them together to create a paste, and then brushing your teeth with that paste for at least 30 seconds to help keep your teeth white. 

Brushing after Smoking

Many experts suggest that if you continue smoking, you need to be proactive in caring for your teeth. It means that you must brush right after smoking to quickly remove the stain-causing chemicals, nicotine, and tar from your teeth.

Mouthwash

Usually, people use mouthwash to rinse/gargle their mouth after brushing, but you can also remove nicotine stains by brushing your teeth with mouthwash. In this, you have to keep mouthwash in your mouth and then start brushing your teeth by keeping the brush near your lips.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Gargling or rinsing your teeth with a diluted solution of water and hydrogen peroxide (less than an ounce), is also an effective way to lighten the yellowness of your teeth.

Although home remedies can help you in removing nicotine stains, it’s not advisable to continue with them on a regular basis as they can wear your enamel down. In fact, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide also can damage your gums and increase tooth sensitivity.

That’s why it’s best to go for professional dental cleaning services to remove nicotine stains from teeth. 

Removing Nicotine Stains from Teeth with Professional Help

Removing Nicotine Stains from Teeth with Professional Help

After trying different home remedies, you can take professional help to remove nicotine stains from your teeth. Experts suggest that you must consult your dentist before trying any whitening options.

The most common procedures for removing nicotine stains from teeth are

  • Dental Cleaning
  • Teeth Whitening

Dental Cleaning

One of the best ways to remove stubborn, nicotine stains from your teeth is to take professional help. In a professional cleaning, both surface stains and tartar buildup are removed expertly for a pristine, stain-free enamel. 

This way, your dentist can also check for signs of gum disease and take measures accordingly. Most dentists suggest a professional cleaning procedure before starting a whitening treatment.

Teeth Bleaching or Whitening

Dental whitening or teeth bleaching can be done in a single visit to the dentist’s clinic. When you undergo the process of dental bleaching, a protective shield is placed on your teeth by the dentist.

After applying the protective gel a whitening solution is applied to the teeth. During this process dentists also expose your teeth to a special laser or light to increase the results of the process.

Cost of Removing Nicotine Stains from Teeth

Dental Cleaning 

To prevent your teeth from gum diseases and staining, you need to visit your dentist regularly. Usually, routine dental cleaning can cost you an average of $75-$200 per visit to the clinic.

  • Dental Insurance You can take a dental insurance policy that can cover the cost of at least one cleaning year. In some cases, the average cost of cleaning is covered under the policy.

Dental Bleaching 

The cost of dental whitening may vary from patient to patient and the procedures followed by your dentist. In-office teeth whitening is the most effective way to remove nicotine stains from teeth and is worth the investment.

On average dental bleaching procedure at the dental clinic can cost you up to $500-$1000. Some dentists also offer packages using which you can lower your dental whitening bill.

Looking for an Effective Way to Remove Nicotine Stains from Teeth?

Smoking and chewing tobacco adversely affect your health and smile. Everyone in this world wants to have a pearly-white smile. If you’re searching for “How to remove nicotine stains from teeth?” note that the first step to gaining a bright, white smile is to stop smoking and using tobacco products.  

To remove hard nicotine stains, you can try the various remedies mentioned above in the comfort of your home. However, if you want a permanent solution, then we suggest you visit our dental clinic in Norwood, MN.

You can request an appointment by writing to us at: appointments@norwood-dental.com, or you can also call us at (952)467-3518 to book an appointment.