Can You Smoke Right After Brushing Your Teeth?

We understand as someone who has the habit of taking occasional puffs, the thought of, "Can I smoke after brushing my teeth?" might have crossed your mind at least once. Truth be told, it might not be the most important thing for you; however, it is a curiosity that crosses the minds of many smokers. The answer to your question is no. 

Why Is Smoking Not Allowed After Brushing Teeth?

This is because smoking deters oral health by staining teeth, producing bad breath, and increasing the risk of developing gum disease. It is recommended to brush your teeth after smoking to freshen your breath and reduce the contact time between nicotine, tar, and teeth. If you happen to smoke heavily, dentists advise you to brush immediately after smoking. 

Protecting Teeth and Gums from the Wrath of Smoking 

• Proper Rinsing: After every smoking session of yours, a good mouth rinse has the ability to significantly lessen the effect of staining.
• Brush Your Teeth: Brushing right after smoking serves two purposes: freshening your breath and minimizing the contact time of nicotine and tar with teeth enamel, thereby cutting down on staining.
• Keep Up With Hydration: Smoking tobacco-based products are a major source of dehydration. Therefore, adequate water intake is enough to combat it. Not only is this good for your overall health, but it also reduces the characteristic bad breath associated with smoking.
• Adequate Dental Hygiene: Do not make consistent oral care routine easy. It is quite a powerful move to keep up with oral health. Regularly use good toothpaste, soft-bristled toothbrush, and floss for long-term oral health. Another overlooked part is cleaning your tongue. It is a major player in maintaining good hygiene. 

Cleaning a Smoker Tongue 

If you are a keen observer, the change in tongue shades might not be new to you. They may turn yellow, brown, or black due to tongue papillae and yeast or bacterial overgrowth. This scenario is common among heavy smokers who do not practice a good oral hygiene regime. The good news is you can easily revert it; all you need to do is get a clean toothbrush or a specialized tongue scraper and clean away.

How Long Should You Wait to Smoke After Brushing Your Teeth?

If you have a good sense of control and fall on the lighter side of the smoker's scale, patiently wait at least 30 minutes after brushing your teeth before smoking again. The timespan acts as a buffer to eliminate any form of lingering nicotine and other chemicals from your teeth. As for heavy smokers, brushing their teeth immediately after smoking is a must-rule. 

Closing Note 

Smoking brings along teeth stains, foul breath, and an increased risk of developing gum disease. So, whether it is the decision to quit smoking or amping your questions regarding your oral hygiene regime, contact our specialist, Dr. Ram Nallapaneni, DDS, from the University of Illinois, Chicago, a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), at Riverside Family Dental who does periodontal treatments for all your help. Give us a call at (586) 468-0983 to schedule an appointment.