Tobacco Stains and History
Tobacco (and Tobacco stains) have a long history in the United States. It was commonly used by Native Americans dating back almost 5,000 years. They were the first to be observed chewing the leaves for their perceived medicinal uses, and in some cases to help whiten and clean teeth. It quickly became a staple export from the Americas, and was highly sought after by European countries.
Centuries later, chewing tobacco is still popular, but now we have a better understanding of the effects tobacco has on the body, including our teeth. It’s been linked to cancer, increased risk of heart attack or stroke, and rots teeth instead of whitens them. With one of the highest death rates of any other herb, Tobacco kills more than 3 million people annually.
Chewing tobacco causes more than just teeth stains, and quitting now can prevent worse health outcomes in the future. So why should you quit chewing tobacco, and what is the Brighter Image Lab solution to tobacco stains on teeth?
What Could Be Worse Than Tobacco Stains?
Chewing tobacco, or dip, is often placed in the lower lip of the mouth. The tobacco then releases large amounts of nicotine into the system through the skin on the inside of the mouth, and into the blood stream. Studies show that people who use dip have similar increased risks for cancer, heart attack, or stroke that smokers do.
The Mouth
Most tobacco users notice staining on their teeth. When the tobacco products mix with saliva, it creates a dark brown liquid that stains clothes, skin, and especially your teeth. As the toxins and sugar wear away at the enamel, stains can set in and become permanent, making teeth whitening the only path back to a bright smile.
Receding gum lines is also common in users of chewing tobacco. This makes users more susceptible to gum disease, like periodontitis. Prolonged exposure of the tooth base allows bacteria to collect in the gum pockets. Because the decay begins closer to the root of the tooth, tooth loss and loose teeth is common in those with receding gum lines and periodontitis.
Oral lesions and Leukoplakia are another side effect of dip. Oral lesions are painful sores of the mouth. With Leukoplakia, greyish white spots appear in the mouth or tongue that are thick and raised. It cannot be scraped off and is generally painless. While flare ups can be mild and go away without treatment, continued tobacco use can turn Leukoplakia into oral cancer.
Cancer
Chewing tobacco contains at least 28 chemicals that are known to increase the risk for cancer, especially oral cancer. Oral cancer spots look like white or red lesions in the mouth, and can cause issues with bad breath, chewing, swallowing, and moving the mouth or tongue.
There are two types of throat cancer that can develop from frequent use of chewing tobacco, and they are divided based on where they form in the throat, such as the outer muscle layers near the middle and top, or the mucus forming glands around the base of the esophagus where it meets the stomach.
Pancreatic cancer is harder to spot than most cancers because of it’s position behind the stomach, and is often diagnosed in the later stages of growth. The pancreas plays an important roll in digestion, helping to break down fats, proteins, and carbs. The pancreas also produces the important hormone insulin, which helps regulate the body’s blood sugar.
Tips for Quitting
Quitting can be difficult, as nicotine withdrawals can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, irritability, and weight gain. But having the right tools for success can greatly improve your chances of becoming tobacco free. Here are some tips to help you be more successful at kicking that addiction:
- Make a Plan: Do the research and speak with your healthcare provider about how to quit. Set a date to cut yourself off of tobacco products and stick to it.
- Find Your Outlet: It’s easier to fight the urges for nicotine when you are busy. Finding a new skill or hobby to fill your time or distract you from cravings can help you get over those hard first few days. Exercise and getting active is a great way to give your body a natural endorphin boost, similar to the dopamine releasing effects of nicotine.
- Nicotine Medication and Gum: There is over the counter products for help dealing with cravings like nicotine gum and patches. Doctors can also prescribe medications that help slowly ween you off the nicotine instead of cutting you off entirely.
- Support: Having support from family, friends and loved ones can greatly improve your chances of quitting. They can help hold you accountable, and remove any triggers that might get you back into the habit of using tobacco products
One of the important things to remember when quitting is that sometimes you will relapse, and that’s okay! Learning what does and doesn’t work for you is part of the journey to being tobacco free. But what does it take to remove those pesky tobacco stains?
The Solution for Tobacco Stained Teeth
Brighter Image Lab has made it our mission to provide smile solution products without the need to see expensive cosmetic dentists. We believe you have the right to a better smile at an affordable price.
If you’re wanting to make the change to improve your health, and your smile, Brighter Image Lab could be the smile solution for you. We support those on their journey to be nicotine free by helping you achieve a better smile, free from Tobacco Stains.
Our Bilistic Smile care system does more than give you a whiter smile, it’s an entire dentist trip shipped to your door! It comes with our Bilistic Sonic cleaner, black infusion trays, detox serum, whitening gel, and a set of dental tools.
Most over the counter whitening products have you wasting money bleaching layers of biofilm, plaque, and tartar. Our smile care system’s detox serum and sonic cleaner are meant to tackle the hard to reach tartar and calculus build up, to ensure a quality clean before you bleach.
Yellow tobacco staining can be a thing of the past with our Bilistic Smile care system, and you don’t need to pay expensive cosmetic dental prices for it either!
Conclusion
The history of tobacco is extensive, and it continues to be a major export around the world. But frequent use of chewing tobacco can lead to tobacco stains, tooth decay, tooth loss, cancer, and increased risk of heart attack.
Quitting is the best way to ensure a healthier life, and with the Brighter Image Lab smile solution, you no longer have to hide your tobacco stained teeth. You can get a better, whiter smile without the costly trip to a cosmetic dentist using our Bilistic Smile care system. Brighter Image Lab has helped thousands of people all over the world get a better smile, and we can help you too.
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