News

Can Patients Who Choose to Smoke Harm Their Veneers?

We know that veneers are a tried and tested cosmetic dentistry procedure used to conceal discolorations, teeth misalignments or even the presence of fractures in the front of the mouth. At Wimpole Street Dental Clinic, we would encourage those valued patients of ours who choose to smoke to consider just how valuable the increase to their own personal comfort and confidence has become thanks to their new veneers and so appreciate that this is worth preserving for as long as possible. The best way to do this, is to commit to the highest standards of oral hygiene, from this point on. This way, those patients can enjoy the aesthetic benefits of their newly whitened teeth, positively impacting every aspect of their professional and personal lives, for so much longer.

Is it possible to experience the premature loss of my new veneers?

Know that ceramic is a bio-compatible and robust material, so from our clinical experience we are aware that keeping a new set of new veneers for 20 years or more is not an exceptional feat to achieve. We would like to advise, though, that damage to the tooth holding apparatus (the periodontium), quite a common situation among our patients who choose to smoke, can lead to the premature loss of natural teeth and subsequently the loss of the new veneers plus the time and investment it took to craft them.

Periodontal disease (otherwise known as gum disease) is the most common cause of tooth loss, especially for our more senior dental patients. Patients who choose to smoker are particularly at risk because their risk of periodontitis is up to 15 times higher than that of our other patients who choose not to smoke. This type of infection means that the teeth loosen faster within their usually secure gum position within the mouth and they also do not normally respond well to the periodontal treatment we then perform. This situation can lead to the very real possibility of the affected patient requiring prosthetic tooth restoration procedures, promptly.

Please be aware that tobacco consumption also promotes the development of tooth decay and oral cancer – not to mention additional illnesses such as heart attack or lung disease. Know that committing to quitting your smoking habit is not only beneficial to the current condition of your general health but it is a lifestyle choice (to decide to become an ex-smoker) which is strongly recommended from a dental point of view, too.

Can tobacco actually cause the discolouration of my new veneers?

Patients who choose to smoke can often suffer from yellow teeth although we know that both discoloration and teeth misalignments can be remedied very effectively with the use of perfectly fitting and aesthetically pleasing veneers. As we have outlined here, by both not choosing to smoke and by committing to practising the highest standards of good oral hygiene;  these choices now become essential tools to help you keep your newly restored teeth looking radiant plus they can help prevent further staining or discolouration over time.

Our high-quality ceramic veneers are colour stable, so they always stay white. We can share with you, however, that studies have shown that for patients who choose to smoke, their veneers and indeed their smiles are more likely to suffer from the discomfort of discoloration. This situation mainly arises due to the fact that nicotine quickly deposits on the surface of the ceramic, even with the practice of a regular oral hygiene regime, at home.

We would encourage our patients who choose to smoke to help themselves prevent dental diseases and discoloration, by paying special attention to committing to and maintaining a careful oral hygiene regime. Such a practice means that there is a credible chance that their new veneers will serve them well for longer so that their beautiful white colour, present in every smile, can remain the same treasured joy as it was first experienced on the day they were placed here in clinic, with a member of our expert team.

So, practicing the highest standards of oral hygiene is really the best way to protect my new veneers? 

Know that brushing your teeth twice a day is enough, with the provision that you follow the highest standards of oral hygiene, possible, at home. We would recommend that you select a toothpaste which contains fluoride, as this can reduce tooth decay by between 20-40%. Plus, use interdental brushes and/or dental floss to clean the spaces between your teeth with both great care and conscientiousness. Flossing is the optimum way to remove the bacteria which builds up, especially in areas within the mouth which are otherwise difficult to reach with just your toothbrush. For our patients who choose to smoke, we recommend the use of a soft electrical toothbrush to protect the gums which can become negatively impacted due to tobacco consumption.

We also appreciate that during the primary school career, many of our patients may have been taught to brush their teeth in a circular motion but this technique is only recommended for children. For both ease and effectiveness, it is best to switch to using an electric toothbrush.

Do I need regular routine appointments with my dentist?

We know that about 30-40% of patients within the UK have periodontitis (gum disease) and many have this condition without realising that they do and so do not generally seek treatment. This particular situation is one which means that the commitment to booking an annual check-up appointment with your dentist is so very important as we believe that the earlier your dentist has the opportunity to recognise dental diseases, the better the chances of the patient concerned making a full recovery from them.

We also believe that a commitment to regular appointments with a member of our expert hygienist team for professional teeth cleaning is particularly recommended for our patients who choose to smoke. These hygiene appointments offer us the opportunity to professionally remove hard-to-reach plaque effectively and to help these patients prevent their chances of developing dental diseases due to the continued presence of it, within the mouth, over time.

Our conclusion – veneers: Can Patients who choose to smoke harm their veneers?

We realise that tobacco does not damage veneers directly but it can significantly impair the success of the treatment as a whole (in terms of the personal comfort and confidence gained) due to its ability to discolour the surface of the new veneers, over time. Rest assured, however, that if you commit to both practising the highest standards of oral hygiene at home and with your dentist and hygienist here in clinic, you have every conceivable chance of enjoying the aesthetic benefits your new veneers now bring you, every time you smile.