Does Smoking Cause the Dental Crowns to Yellow?
May 1, 2022What are Dental Crowns?
Teeth crowns are used to restore shape, size, and form. They can be made from porcelain or metal.
They can be used to cover a tooth that has been damaged by decay or trauma. Crowns also improve the appearance of teeth by reshaping them for cosmetic reasons. After the dental crowns are fitted, they can usually stay healthy and sturdy for years to come.
However, with time, they may start to darken. This could be because of several reasons, like decay. But does smoking cause the crowns to turn yellow?
How Does Smoking Affect the Teeth?
Smoking has been found to cause a smoker’s teeth to have a brownish yellow color. Cigarette smoke causes discolor teeth as nicotine, tobacco, and tar leave stains. The smoke also creates a sticky surface on the teeth that amplifies the attachment of other stains on the teeth.
Smoking also predisposes you to gum disease, which leads to increased plaque build-up on your teeth and therefore increased tooth decay or gum disease. It also causes bad breath, tooth cavities, and sensitivity. The best way to make your teeth white and healthy is to quit smoking.
Does Smoking Cause The Crowns to Darken?
Dental crowns are made of porcelain, which is thought to be stain-resistant. However, they are not immune to staining and can discolor with time. Teeth crowns have a tough surface; the stains do not penetrate, unlike natural teeth. This means that the nicotine will not hold, and it can be brushed out with proper brushing and professional teeth cleaning. Other factors that can cause the teeth to appear darker are tomatoes or acidic foods, coffee, and wine.
How Do Teeth Crowns Discolor?
Several factors can cause the teeth to appear dark, and they include:
- A dark gum line
The tooth crown material that you choose can affect the crown’s appearance. For instance, composite crowns tend to discolor easily compared to porcelain ones. However, using metal or porcelain fused to metal can cause the gum line to discolor.
- Damaged crowns
If your tooth crowns are broken or damaged, they could cause the teeth underneath to get infected or discolored. This is because food particles can leak and get trapped beneath the crown. This will cause the teeth to appear yellow or stained, which cannot be solved by brushing. Visit a dentist near you to have the dental crowns fixed to repair the discoloration.
Can You Get Teeth Whitening for Discolored Crowns?
You can get teeth whitening treatment in Phoenix to correct yellowish teeth. However, this is not possible for the crowns. This is because you cannot change the shade of the crown once they are fixed. The dentist often whitens your teeth before fixing the dental crowns to attain the right shade. However, if your crowns get discolored, our dentist in Phoenix will opt to replace the dental crowns to match the rest of the teeth.
What Are the Signs That Your Teeth Are Damaged?
Teeth crowns can last for a decade, but they can get damaged and may need replacement.
- Receding gum line
When the food particles get trapped underneath the crowns, it can increase bacterial growth, leading to gum disease. A common symptom of gum disease is receding gums. Visit a dentist in Ahwatukee for assessment and crown repair because the crown can fail if not treated.
- Noticeable wear and tear
Although the teeth crowns last for decades, you may need the crowns replaced sooner because of extensive wear. Bruxism or grinding the teeth can cause the crowns to crack and chip and damage.
- Old crowns
An old tooth crown can be aesthetically unpleasing. This could be noticeable, especially if the rest of your tooth is white. A new crown will most likely be made to disguise this, though, so that it looks more natural.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Brookstone Dental Care for more information on dental crowns and how you can care for your dental crowns.