Healthy teeth are the essence of a fabulous smile, but unusually discolored areas of enamel can prevent a beautiful smile from really shining.
There are several causes for the occurrence of white spots on your teeth. If there is a disturbance to the teeth during the development process, white spots can set in on the surface. These white spots, however, are not a shade of white that blends in with the rest of your teeth.
Possible Causes White Spots on Teeth
Fluorosis
Fluorosis happens when teeth are exposed to high amounts of fluoride when the teeth are still forming. Fluoride does help make teeth more resistant to decay, but too much can be harmful and could cause chalky white, yellow or even brown spots on the enamel.
Enamel Hypoplasia (EH)
Enamel hypoplasia results from a lack of nutrition, high fever, side effects from certain medicines, as well as premature births and smoking during pregnancy. Research suggests areas of enamel hypoplasia are not as mineralized and, therefore, more likely to decay. The enamel somewhat resembles characteristics of fluorosis.
Demineralization
The demineralization of tooth enamel happens when bacterial plaque builds up on the teeth. Usually, due to inadequate brushing, it is commonly a problem for children and adults who wear braces. White areas of decalcification are permanent and will lead to decay if not kept clean.
Treatments for White Spots
There are many ways to remove white spots on teeth. Talk with your dentist about which white spot removal treatment will work best for your case.
Treatment options for white spots on teeth:
Microabrasion
This procedure requires removal of a thin layer of surface enamel, improving the appearance of your teeth. Microabrasion combined with tooth-whitening treatments enhances the quality of the results.
Bleaching
Bleach-based tooth whitening can help balance the color of your tooth enamel. For the safest results, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) recommends either an in-office whitening procedure or a dentist-supervised, take-home kit. Over-the-counter (OTC) bleaching products and whitening toothpaste are available, but the results will take longer and may not be as satisfactory.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneers are the best option for extensive amounts of white spot stains on your teeth that aren’t going away via bleaching treatments. Veneers are custom made with thin layers of ceramic material that gets bonded to the front of your teeth. Less than a millimeter of tooth structure is removed to fit a veneer resulting in beautiful natural-looking teeth that are resistant to future stains.
How To Prevent White Spots On Your Teeth
If you are an expectant mother, talk with your dentist or obstetrician about using fluoride and any other medications that could interrupt your child’s developing teeth. If you are a smoker, now is the time to start the process of quitting. Children under the age of six can acquire these spots too, so only use pea-sized amounts of fluoride toothpaste. Most tap water contains fluoride, so be sure to check the levels in your water. You can also discuss available fluoride supplements with your dentist.
If you or your child wear braces, make sure that brushing and flossing are happening around the brackets and wires regularly. Your dentist may recommend a remineralizing toothpaste for additional protection, and to remineralize these white spots.
Don’t let pesky white spots on your teeth prevent you from smiling. Figuring out how to get rid of white spots on teeth may be simpler than you thought.
Miracle Smile Dentistry as an outstanding reputation for treatment of stained or discolored teeth. Contact Miracle Smile Dentistry today to schedule your free consultation.