How to get stains off teeth from smoking

Smoking stains are usually surface deposits that a dental cleaning can remove, while whitening addresses the tooth color beneath them.

The short answer

Tobacco smoke can leave brown or yellow deposits in plaque and tartar, while some discoloration lies within enamel or dentin.

Brush gently, clean between teeth, and have deposits scaled and polished; avoid lemon, charcoal, abrasive powders, and scraping tools.

Arrange an examination for one-sided, rough, bleeding, or persistent discoloration, especially if cleaning does not remove it.

Ask whether the color is plaque, calculus, intrinsic stain, decay, or a restoration, and whether cleaning or whitening is appropriate.

Tartar requires professional removal.

No. Hard brushing can wear enamel and irritate gums without removing calculus.

Can whitening remove every stain?