How to Remove Chewing Tobacco Stains From Teeth

Compared to other tobacco products, chewing tobacco stands out as a crowd favourite among users since it is convenient to consume. You only need to pinch some strands of chewing tobacco leaves from the tin or can packaging and place them in your mouth. You then have to chew them and spit out the tobacco juices from time to time.

One thing that is evident in consuming chewing tobacco, however, is it can cause chewing tobacco stains over time. You can easily tell when someone has been consuming tobacco if they have teeth stains. These stains are characterized by the discolouration of the teeth.

If you have teeth stains from chewing tobacco, we got you covered. This helpful guide from NativeSmokes4Less will tell you how to remove tobacco stains from your beloved teeth and the best ways available today.

Causes of Chewing Tobacco Stains on Teeth

Chewing tobacco is one of the many types of smokeless tobacco products that you usually consume by placing one between the cheek and lower gum. It is comprised of coarsely chopped aged tobacco that is flavoured and sometimes sweetened. When you chew this smokeless tobacco, it will release its flavour and nicotine. As time passes, unwanted juices from chewing tobacco must be spat.

Since chewing tobacco contains many chemicals, it can gradually affect your oral health. Your teeth, in particular, can be affected since they are in direct contact with chewing tobacco. 

One key part of your teeth that is directly affected by the chewing tobacco chemicals is the enamel. It is known as the hardest substance in the human body that serves as the outer layer of your teeth. Since it is wear-resistant, it can easily form an insulating barrier that shields your tooth from physical, thermal, and chemical forces that can injure your vital tissues.

Despite being wear-resistant, chewing tobacco has chemicals that are strong enough to damage your dental enamel. They can likewise cause other oral health issues like gum disease, tooth decay, bad breath, and many more.

Going back to teeth stains, there are numerous potential reasons why chewing tobacco can cause stains on your beloved teeth. They include the following:

• Nicotine: Chewing tobacco produces nicotine whenever you chew and consume it. It’s a highly addictive substance that makes chewing tobacco irresistible, pushing you to consume it repeatedly until you are satisfied. Now, when it enters your body, it starts clear but turns yellow or brown when exposed to air. It can then gradually cause yellow or brown stains on your teeth, especially if you are consuming chewing tobacco regularly. 
• Tobacco particles: Tobacco leaves are typically processed so they can be used to produce and generate chewing tobacco. As you chew this smokeless tobacco product, tiny bits of the tobacco leaves may settle between your teeth. Without practicing proper oral hygiene, they could eventually contribute to the staining of your teeth as well as other oral health damage.
• Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can likewise be the main cause of chewing tobacco stains on your teeth. When you consume chewing tobacco, it’s highly recommended to rinse your mouth out to remove any remaining tobacco bits before brushing your teeth. Failure to do this only leads to the accumulation of plaque and tartar, causing teeth stains.
• Frequency of use: Chewing tobacco is known to be effective when it is in your mouth for at least 30 minutes. Going beyond the said time is possible, but tobacco manufacturers often advise not to go beyond an hour since the effectiveness of chewing tobacco may have already declined by that time. Additionally, it only increases your chances of getting teeth stains since tobacco juices that get mixed with your saliva can slowly damage your dental enamel.

Knowing the potential causes of chewing tobacco stains on your teeth helps you carry out the right actions and practices to slowly remove them.

Effects of Chewing Tobacco Stains on Teeth

The effects of chewing tobacco stains on your teeth can be serious. They don’t only make your teeth look less appealing, but they can also lead to other serious dental problems.

Tobacco stains cause your dental enamel, or the wear-resistant outer layer of your teeth, to slowly wear away. It then exposes the soft layer of your teeth underneath the enamel or dentin, which boasts a more yellow colour. If your dentin is exposed and starts to show through, your teeth will look more yellow over time. 

Chewing tobacco stains likewise lead to gum disease. Chemicals from chewing tobacco, while they are fewer than smoking cigarettes, can still irritate and damage the gums. Gum disease is a serious oral health condition that, when not resolved right away, can cause tooth loss.

Some more serious diseases that are caused by chewing tobacco include receding gums, gum disease (gingivitis, sores and legions, etc.) tooth decay, enamel damage, premature aging around the mouth and face, increased sensitivity to hot and cold foods/drinks, reduced sense of smell and taste, darkened plaque buildup, cankers, and tongue sores.

Best Ways to Remove Chewing Tobacco Stains From Teeth Quickly

Removing the surface stains from your teeth might be difficult to remove, but it is still possible. Lightening the yellow stains from your teeth can be done in multiple ways, allowing you to smile brightly and look good whenever you face and talk to other people. Here are some methods you can use to remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth quickly.

Oral Hygiene

The easiest way to remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth is to use a toothbrush and some toothpaste. Before brushing your teeth, you must rinse your mouth out to remove any remaining tobacco bits and debris from chewing tobacco. Then, brush your teeth with some toothpaste for at least two minutes. You must do this dental care routine twice a day for the best results. Flossing is also vital as it removes bits of tobacco from between your teeth, stopping stains from developing.

You must then visit your dentist regularly or every six months for regular dental cleanings.

Baking Soda

Another way to remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth is to use baking soda and water. 

Baking soda acts like a natural scrub that can remove surface stains on your teeth. You simply have to mix a tablespoon of it with eight ounces of water to make a paste. Then, swish it around in your mouth for a minute or two before spitting it all out. Don’t forget to rinse your mouth with water as leaving some bits of the mixture may wear down your tooth enamel. Also, remember to do this sparingly.

Some doctors may then recommend mixing baking soda with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide as this combination can help whiten your teeth. Of course, if you don’t have the said component, water can already do the trick.

Whitening Toothpaste and Mouthwash

Your teeth’ tobacco stains can likewise be removed when you buy over-the-counter products like whitening toothpaste and mouthwash. These products contain hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite, two elements that can help with tooth discoloration caused by chewing tobacco. 

You should hold the mouthwash in your mouth and then start brushing your teeth. Doing these things in tandem can gradually lighten tobacco stains that may be bothering you. Remember, good oral hygiene starts with you. Hence, you must do these things regularly to see some progress.

Professional Teeth Whitening

If tobacco stains on your teeth won’t go away with DIY and home treatment, you should probably get a professional dental cleaning.

A dentist or dental hygienist has special tools and techniques that can remove plaque and tartar buildup, making your teeth appear a lot whiter and brighter. Their tools are professional-grade, which is why they would normally be more effective than over-the-counter products like toothpaste or whitening strips that you might be buying from stores.

In-office bleaching is one of the several procedures professionals may conduct to remove tobacco stains from teeth. It involves painting your teeth with a peroxide solution and exposing it to very strong light. This procedure is typically painless and would only take around 15 minutes to an hour.

Customized do-at-home treatments may then be provided by your dentist. It involves using 10% carbamide peroxide in a tray custom-fit for your mouth and teeth. It can lower your tooth sensitivity, condition the tissue, and allow a longer contact time with the tooth. All these things allow the material to bleach deep tobacco stains from the teeth.

How to Remove Chewing Tobacco Stains From Teeth Naturally

Chewing tobacco stains can bother you since they are easy to spot, especially if you are talking with others and smiling a lot. While you can remove these stains by following the previously discussed methods, you can naturally get rid of them by slowly quitting tobacco consumption.

The best way to remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth is to stop consuming chewing tobacco as well as other forms of tobacco. 

Doing so will not only make your teeth look better, but it can also bring a lot of health benefits to your body. When you stop chewing tobacco, you are lowering your risk of developing health risks related to your teeth, gums, and other similar parts. You won’t also crave nicotine anymore, which is also a viable source of teeth stains.

To help quit chewing tobacco, you must avoid people and locations where you know you’re tempted to consume it. You should also keep yourself busy by staying distracted and busy. Doing so helps you manage your nicotine cravings. If you want, you can opt for nicotine replacement therapy like nicotine patches or nicotine gum to reduce such cravings.

Ultimately, remind yourself constantly of why you’re quitting chewing tobacco. 

All these practices not only help you regain your appealing smile but also contribute to your overall health, enabling you to live your life to the fullest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can tobacco stains be removed from teeth?

Yes. Tobacco stains can be removed from your teeth through professional cleaning or whitening treatments. You can also opt for DIY mixtures like baking soda and water to get rid of plaques and tartar. You can likewise remove tobacco stains by practicing proper oral hygiene.

How to remove chewing tobacco stains?

To remove chewing tobacco stains, you should brush your teeth regularly with a whitening toothpaste. You can then visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening treatments to remove stubborn stains and prevent long-term damage. Quitting chewing tobacco can likewise help remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth.

What is the best cleaner for tobacco stained teeth?

The best cleaner for tobacco-stained teeth would be professional dental whitening treatments. At home, you can use a whitening toothpaste with peroxide or baking soda to reduce tobacco stains over time.

Will vinegar remove nicotine stains from teeth?

Vinegar has mild acidic properties, which makes some people think that it can remove nicotine stains from teeth.However, it’s not recommended to remove such stains since using vinegar regularly may only erode the tooth enamel, causing sensitivity and damage.

Summary

You can remove chewing tobacco stains from your teeth by practicing proper oral hygiene, opting for over-the-counter products like whitening toothpaste and mouthwash, using a baking soda-water mixture, and visiting your dental professional regularly for whitening treatments and professional teeth cleaning.

But to further protect your dental health as well as your whole well-being, it’s best that you quit chewing tobacco altogether. When you quit tobacco use, you will not only regain the natural colour and appeal of your teeth but can also keep your body protected from illnesses caused by chewing tobacco.