Quitting Dip? How Cosmetic Dentists Can Remove Dipping Tobacco Stains
Tobacco is bad for your health in all its forms, and dipping tobacco can be particularly hard on your teeth and gums. Dip makes you more vulnerable to gum disease, tooth decay, and deadly oral cancers, so quitting can be one of the best things you ever do for your health.
Unfortunately, if your teeth have already been stained by dip, quitting won't make those stains go away. The yellow-brown stains and discoloration caused by dipping tobacco are often permanent unless you have them professionally removed by a cosmetic dentist.
How Does Dipping Tobacco Stain Teeth?
When you use dip, the tobacco releases its juices into your mouth. These juices are dark brown in color and contain very powerful natural pigments that can stain a wide variety of materials. If you have ever accidentally spit dip onto your clothing or furniture, you will already know how tough it can be to remove these stains.
Coffee, red wine, and other strongly colored liquids can also contribute to tooth discoloration, but dip is particularly bad for staining because it also contains small, hard particles of plant matter. These particles are very abrasive, and scratch the enamel on your teeth when you use dip, exposing the porous dentin beneath. Once tobacco juice is absorbed into the dentin, it will quickly become permanently stained.
How Can Cosmetic Dentists Remove Dipping Tobacco Stains?
If you have quit dip but are still bothered by the discoloration left on your teeth, visit a cosmetic dentist for a thorough consultation. Your cosmetic dentist will examine your teeth to determine how badly stained they are and will also check for other oral health problems associated with dip.
Cosmetic dentists can tackle stains and discoloration in a number of ways:
Professional Whitening
You can buy over-the-counter teeth whitening kits online or at most pharmacies, but they are much less effective than professional whitening procedures performed and overseen by cosmetic dentists. Cosmetic dentists can safely use much stronger whitening gels than those available to consumers, and can dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth in just one appointment.
Many cosmetic dentists also use lasers or pulsed light beams to enhance the effects of professional whitening even more. Exposure to intense light causes a chemical reaction that supercharges the bleaching effects of whitening gels.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is frequently used to repair minor cracks and chips in teeth, but it is also highly effective at masking tobacco stains and discoloration. Your cosmetic dentist will coat the stained enamel with a tough, long-lasting resin, which is virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth enamel.
Dental bonding doesn't just whiten teeth — it also repairs damage caused by abrasive dip particles, protecting your teeth from infections and tooth decay. However, you should only choose bonding if you are absolutely sure you have quit the dip for good, as dental resins are just as vulnerable to staining as tooth enamel.
Make an appointment at a cosmetic dentistry clinic, such as Mill Creek Dental, to get started.
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