Smoking and Orthodontics: Can You Smoke with Braces? What About Aligners?

Everybody has their vices. Some may find solace in a casual wine glass every once in a while, others prefer smoking. And while smoking is indeed injurious to health, does it also affect your braces and aligners? Or are orthodontic treatments free of the side effects of smoking?

In this guide, we’ll dive into the effects of smoking on orthodontics and answer the key question: Can you smoke with braces or clear aligners? Here is the analysis of smoking with braces and aligners and what you can do to protect yourself.

Smoking and Braces: What You Should Know

Orthodontic appliances are dental tools placed on the teeth to align them. They do so by applying a predetermined pressure throughout treatment. With that being said, here’s how smoking is affecting your braces:

Stains

Tobacco products cause the deposition of tar and nicotine, leading to yellowish or brownish discoloration of teeth. And the same happens in the case of wearing braces. Furthermore, metallic brackets and wires can create some rough surfaces that will make it difficult for you to brush your teeth, which is harmful since smoking can lead to plaque and tartar accumulation as well as further leading to your braces getting stained. Sometimes, these stains might be concealed behind the braces once they are going to be removed, but they can still cause problems.

Slower Orthodontic Progress

Smoking affects the blood circulation in the gums and oral tissues. Healthy gums are crucial for teeth straightening, as they support the bone regeneration needed for teeth realignment. When patients have poor circulation, their dental issues can take longer to heal, hence leading to more time required to achieve the results that orthodontic braces promise.

High Risk of Gum Diseases

People who use tobacco products also have a higher risk of developing gum diseases such as gingivitis or periodontitis. This is because smoking increases the chances of plaque buildup, gum infections, the recession of the gums, and even tooth loss.

Tooth Decay and Cavities

Smoking with braces can cause the formation of cavities in the teeth. Cigarette chemicals erode the enamel, causing tooth decay to occur around the brackets. This is why routine dental visits are important for users who smoke while wearing braces.

Discomfort and Irritation

When wearing braces, smoking causes dryness in your mouth, which can lead to irritation in the cheeks, gums, and the roof of the mouth. The more you smoke, the further your mouth gets dry, and therefore the irritation you are suffering from is worsened. Such dryness can also lead to infections, causing additional discomfort and dental problems.

Smoking and Clear Aligners: What You Should Know

Clear aligners are a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. They are removable, making them more convenient for patients. However, smoking can still affect clear aligners:

Aligner Discoloration

Clear aligners are made of thin, transparent plastic, and smoking can cause stains on these aligners, turning them yellow or even brown. This is counterproductive to what aligners are supposed to be: "invisible." Over time, this discoloration can make the aligners much more noticeable, which is one of the primary concerns of smoking and aligners.

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Increased Risk of Aligner Damage

Smoking can increase the risk of aligner damage. This is because the chemicals present in tobacco products can weaken the aligner material, making it more prone to cracks and breaks.

Oral Health Complications

As with other orthodontic appliances, smoking damages gums causes tooth cavities, and leads to dry mouth when used alongside clear aligners. While aligners are removable, they still have to be worn for 20–22 hours, and you may not be able to brush your teeth and clean your gums adequately after smoking. This leads to bad oral hygiene overall. This also goes to show how smoking affects orthodontic treatment.

Foul Odor

Nicotine and tar from cigarettes get deposited between the aligner and the teeth. These chemicals, when left uncleaned, can lead to unpleasant breath smells when you are wearing clear aligners.

Aligner Hygiene

In case you do decide to use clear aligners and smoke at the same time, then it’s advised that you clean clear aligners every now and then. Smoking causes a buildup of plaque and bacteria. In the long run, this combination can lead to tooth decay and gum diseases.

How To Reduce the Effects of Smoking on Orthodontic Treatment

If quitting smoking isn’t an option right away, here are some steps you can take to minimize its effects while undergoing orthodontic treatment:

• Limit Smoking: Chain smokers should take a limited number of cigarettes per day to reduce the damage caused by smoking cigarettes when going through orthodontic treatment.
• Remove Aligners Before Smoking: If you wear clear aligners, then it is recommended that you always remove them before smoking to prevent staining or damage.
• Brush and Floss Frequently: Brush your teeth immediately after each smoke and floss at least once per day to lessen the effects of smoking on your teeth.
• Use Mouthwash: One should use an antibacterial mouthwash since this will assist in preventing bacterial infections and removing any remaining tobacco deposits.
• Visit Your Orthodontist Regularly: Ensure you go for check-ups to allow the orthodontist to assess any problems that might arise and advise accordingly.

Quit Smoking for the Perfect Smile

Although the tips above may minimize the effect of smoking on your braces and aligners, it is recommended that you quit the habit altogether to enhance your dental health and boost the success rate of your orthodontic treatment. Quitting smoking not only benefits your general health but can also help benefit others around you, as passive smoking is also injurious to health.

We already know that smoking while undergoing orthodontic treatment—whether with braces or clear aligners—can have serious consequences for your oral health. That means that smoking is undoubtedly an enemy of a great smile, leading to the discoloration of your teeth, causing gum disease, and slowing treatment progress. It will also increase your general health risks and reduce your chances of achieving the best results on your orthodontic treatment.