The effect of smoking and coffee on the color and health of teeth during orthodontic treatment

Introduction: Why is the issue of coffee and cigarettes important in orthodontics?

When orthodontic brackets are installed on the teeth, a period of "dental lifestyle change" begins. From this moment on, everything that enters the mouth, from the morning coffee to the evening cigarette, can affect not only the color and health of the teeth, but also the treatment process and the final beauty of your smile. During this period, teeth are more prone to discoloration, difficult scaling, and gingivitis. Such a combination causes the effects of coffee and cigarettes to multiply, and if a person is not careful, the final result of orthodontic treatment will be accompanied by brown spots, yellow mass or even tooth enamel loss.

How does tooth discoloration occur during orthodontics?

Teeth naturally have tiny microscopic pores on their enamel surface. Normally, oral saliva, with its buffering and mineral properties, does not allow pigments to easily penetrate these pores. But with the installation of orthodontic brackets and wires, the situation changes:

1. Increased plaque accumulation around the brackets: These areas are hard to brush, so plaque and bacteria can more easily hold the pigments. 2. Local roughening of the tooth surface: Orthodontic adhesives cause some parts of the tooth surface to become a little rougher, and coffee or tobacco particles easily stick to it. 3. Disturbance in the normal flow of saliva: smoking and coffee both reduce the amount of saliva secretion, and this dryness makes the coloring matter stay longer on the surface of the teeth.

Coffee and orthodontics – the morning enemy of a white smile

Coffee is one of the daily pleasures of millions of people, but in the era of orthodontics, it can easily turn from a light drink into one of the main causes of tooth discoloration.

Why does coffee change the color of teeth?

Coffee beans contain tannins; Polyphenolic molecules that have a strong tendency to bind with proteins and tooth enamel. For this reason, frequent drinking of coffee causes a thin shade of pigments to form on the surface of the teeth, and in the presence of brackets, these pigments become more permanent around the bracket adhesive.

Brown and transparent bracket

If you are using clear orthodontics (mini crystal or ceramic series), coffee can cause yellowing of the brackets and the elastics between them. Even in invisible orthodontics such as aligners, the coffee color easily remains on the plastic and destroys its transparency.

Effect of temperature and consumption frequency

Hot coffee, more than cold or limited coffee, causes enamel pores to open and pigments to penetrate more.

That's why experts recommend: if you can't remove the coffee, drink it with a straw and then rinse your mouth with water.

Cigarettes and orthodontics – the invisible enemy of oral health

While coffee only changes the color of teeth, smoking is the best example of the most destructive habit in the orthodontic era; Because its effect goes beyond the color and appearance of the teeth and enters the field of biological influence on the gums, bones and blood flow around the brackets.

1. Nicotine and gingival blood flow

Nicotine constricts the blood vessels of the gums. As a result, a decrease in blood supply occurs, which slows down the process of tissue repair and regeneration during tooth movement. This can make the duration of orthodontic treatment longer in smokers.

2. Reduction of the oral immune system

Cigarette reduces the defense power of saliva and provides the basis for the growth of bacteria that form thicker and more resistant plaques. These plaques attach to the brown and yellow pigments of cigarettes and create stubborn stains on brackets and teeth.

3. The disastrous combination of cigarettes and coffee

Cigarette and coffee work together like two professional pigment makers. Coffee provides color, and smoking multiplies the number of color absorption sites by reducing saliva and covering the tooth surface with tar and nicotine. The result will be two-colored teeth, opaque brackets and inflamed gums.

Indirect effects on orthodontic treatment success

Smokers or coffee lovers, in addition to color change, face other risks:

1. The possibility of increasing tooth decay 2. The possibility of failure of the bracket adhesive 3. Inflamed and receding gums (Gingival Recession).

How to reduce the effect of coffee and smoking during orthodontics?

1. Regular use of interdental toothbrush and water jet 2. Whitening and antibacterial mouthwashes 3. Anti-pigmentation diet 4. Timing of drinks

Is teeth whitening recommended after orthodontics?

Yes, but not immediately. Whitening teeth immediately after removing the bracket may cause sensitivity. Usually, 2 to 4 weeks after completing orthodontics and after complete scaling, home or office whitening can be used.

Orthodontists' point of view about "smoking during treatment"

International studies show that smoking patients are treated for an average of 2 to 4 months longer than non-smokers. From a scientific point of view, there is no "safe" level of smoking during orthodontics.

Beauty tips and smile psychology after orthodontics

People who have whiter teeth are seen by others as younger, healthier and fresher. Therefore, if your ultimate goal is a beautiful smile, leaving or controlling these habits is even worth the mental effort.

Lighter alternatives for coffee and nicotine lovers

1. Light coffee or decaf with milk 2. Colorless nicotine patch or vape 3. Mouthwash with xylolite

Final conclusion – protecting the smile in the orthodontic way

Orthodontic treatment is not just the physical movement of teeth; Rather, it is a 12- to 24-month project to recreate a healthy and beautiful smile.

By observing strict hygiene, using complementary tools and adjusting consumption, it is possible to prevent stains and damage without completely abandoning these habits. But the best choice is always to reduce or completely stop smoking and colored drinks during orthodontics.

Finally, note that any change in tooth color or unusual sensitivity during orthodontic treatment should be checked by a specialist.

You can be accompanied by Dr. Foroghi's specialized orthodontic clinic during orthodontic treatment.

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