6 Tips to Help Treat Smokers' Teeth

The effects of smoking on overall health are well known, but smokers should be aware that it can also compromise their oral health by making them more vulnerable to gum disease, tooth decay and certain types of oral cancer.¹

The dental hygiene tips below can help smokers take extra care of their mouth and teeth.

1. Use Proper Brushing Techniques

Brushing at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste can help remove dental plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that can build up and harden into tartar, causing gum disease and tooth decay.²

Saliva naturally cleans the mouth and helps keep plaque from building up.¹ But tobacco use can cause dry mouth, leaving smokers more susceptible to plaque and tartar accumulating on the teeth and at the gumline.³

Brushing tips:²

• Use a fluoride toothpaste to help strengthen the tooth enamel.

• Brush gently in small circular motions. Do not brush aggressively back and forth.

• Angle the brush toward the gumline to clean under the gums.

• Brush all sides of each tooth.

• Brush the tongue.

• Replace the toothbrush when the bristles show signs of wear.

2. Floss Daily

Use a flossing product to clean between the teeth at least once a day to remove plaque and food particles that can hide between the crevices in your teeth. Plaque that hardens into tartar can only be removed by a dental health provider. If not removed, it can lead to red, swollen gums and gingivitis, the beginning stages of more serious periodontal disease.²

How to use dental floss:⁴

• Use a string of floss approximately 18 inches long. Wrap the majority around the middle finger of one hand and the rest around the corresponding finger of your other hand. Grip the floss tightly between your thumb and index fingers.

• Gently guide the floss between the teeth up to the gumline with a rubbing motion.

• Curve the floss into a letter “C” shape around each side of the tooth and carefully slide it into the space between the gum and tooth.

• Slide the floss up and down under the gum, following the shape of the tooth.

• Repeat on the rest of your teeth, top and bottom, including molars at the back of the mouth.

People who find flossing difficult due to arthritis or other issues can try a plastic or wooden dental pick, a floss holder or threader, a water flosser or interdental brushes.²

Consider using a high-quality mouthwash to round out your oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can help kill remaining bacteria, combat dry mouth and, in some cases, help lighten stains on your teeth.⁵

3. Pay Attention to Your Diet

A balanced diet rich in protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables provides essential vitamins and minerals, such as calcium and phosphorus, to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Foods like cheese, milk, plain yogurt, leafy greens and almonds have high amounts of calcium, while meat, poultry, fish and eggs are good sources of phosphorus. Both are necessary to protect and rebuild tooth enamel.⁶

Limit sugary snacks like candy, cookies and cake, and drinks like soda, juice, sweetened tea or coffee and lemonade. The sugars in these foods feed the bacteria in your mouth that promote tooth decay.⁶

In addition, for smokers who may already have weakened tooth enamel, highly acidic food and beverages can erode the enamel further and cause staining. Reduce the chances of stained teeth by limiting acidic food and drinks like coffee, tea, soda, red wine, berries and pasta sauce, or by brushing your teeth after consuming.⁷

Smokers should stay properly hydrated, as tobacco use is associated with dry mouth.¹ Saliva plays an important role in protecting teeth from decay, helping wash away food particles and coating teeth in calcium, phosphate and fluoride.⁸ Drinking plenty of water will help combat inadequate saliva production and keep teeth clean between brushings.⁸

4. Get Regular Dental Exams

Smokers are twice as likely to develop gum disease and should prioritize regular dental cleanings and checkups to remove plaque, tartar and surface stains.⁹ While dental insurance plans typically cover two dental exams and cleanings per year, your dentist may recommend more frequent dental cleanings — every three to four months — if you smoke.¹⁰

Regular visits also allow your dental professional to screen for other diseases exacerbated by smoking, such as oral cancers, and other forms of tooth loss and bone decay.⁵

For smokers with damaged or decayed teeth, dental restorations such as fillings, crowns or veneers may be necessary to restore tooth functionality and aesthetics. Early-stage gum disease (gingivitis) or advanced gum disease (periodontitis) requires treatment from your dental professional, but smokers may see less successful outcomes.⁹

5. Consider Teeth Whitening Options

Though you can find popular methods of DIY teeth whitening on the internet, the American Dental Association (ADA) doesn’t recommend natural whitening methods that use certain types of fruit, vinegars, spices, oils or abrasive scrubs. Not only is there a lack of scientific evidence to support the efficacy of these methods, but in some instances, prolonged use can damage the tooth enamel you’re trying to brighten and protect.¹¹

Talk to your dentist to see if professional in-office whitening is a good option for you. Additionally, ask your provider about at-home whitening kits or products that have received the ADA Seal of Acceptance. Not all patients will see the same results with professional or at-home whitening techniques, and some may be better for smokers than others.¹¹

6. Conduct Regular Self-Exams

While self-exams are a good idea for everyone, smokers should pay particular attention to their oral health, as they are more vulnerable to certain types of mouth problems and diseases.

Check for swelling, bleeding, red spots or lumps in the gums, tongue, cheeks or lips. Loose teeth, bleeding gums or pain are other signs of concern. Report any new developments to your dental provider immediately.⁵

Dental Financing With the CareCredit Credit Card

Regular dental checkups are important to help prevent, identify and treat dental problems before they become more advanced. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for dental exams, cosmetic dental procedures and other costs that insurance doesn’t cover — to help you keep your pearly whites bright and healthy.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist near you that accepts CareCredit. Make the most of your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App. You can find a provider on the go, manage your CareCredit account and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to dental care, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for pet care, cosmetic, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.