Enamel is the protective outer layer of your teeth, primarily consisting of minerals to safeguard the inner dentin and pulp. Though enamel is resilient, it can experience damage, leading to the development of white spots. These spots not only detract from the brightness of your smile but may also indicate an underlying dental condition, such as decay.
At 2K Dental with offices in Parma, Cleveland, Cuyahoga Falls, and Akron, Ohio, we provide comprehensive dental care to help you achieve a radiant and healthy smile. If you're bothered by white spots on your teeth, here's what you should know.
Your enamel is naturally white in color, but certain dental issues can cause brighter white spots to develop.
Typical causes of these white spots can include:
Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of white spots. Failure to brush and floss thoroughly every day can result in plaque accumulating on your teeth.
Plaque bacteria generate acid, which gradually wears down enamel, resulting in a process known as decalcification. During decalcification, the minerals within tooth enamel degrade, leaving behind white spots as a visible indication of the damage.
Sometimes, diet can be a factor in the development of white spots on your teeth. Even if you do practice excellent oral hygiene, regular consumption of acidic foods and beverages can accelerate decalcification and decay.
White spots can develop on the teeth following orthodontic treatments, especially when braces are removed. White spots left behind after wearing braces usually result from the difficulty cleaning around the brackets and wires, causing buildup and potential decalcification.
Excessive fluoride intake during tooth development can lead to dental fluorosis. Even though fluoride is essential for dental health, too much of it can discolor your enamel. Dental fluorosis begins in childhood when children take in high levels of fluoride from sources such as water and toothpaste.
Underdeveloped enamel, or enamel hypoplasia, can show up as white spots on teeth. This developmental issue may be influenced by malnutrition, illness during tooth development, or certain medications taken during childhood.
If you are bothered by white spots on your teeth, schedule an appointment at 2K Dental. We can help you determine if you need to make some changes to your oral health care habits or another treatment.
We can evaluate your oral health to uncover the cause of the white spots, then develop a treatment plan to tackle them. Good oral hygiene is the first step in preventing and addressing white spots on teeth.
Regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental cleanings help maintain enamel health and reduce your risk of worsening white spots. We might also recommend:
Our professional team may suggest topical fluoride treatments if you have mild decalcification. These treatments help remineralize enamel, which restores its strength and its appearance.
We can cover up white spots with dental bonding, which involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the affected teeth. The resin covers the white spots and gives you natural-looking results without more invasive treatments.
Microabrasion is a minimally invasive dental procedure to remove a thin layer of enamel. This can effectively eliminate any white spots and even out your tooth color. Often, we combine microabrasion with teeth whitening for a more dramatic effect.
Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry option when you have stubborn, unsightly white spots. Veneers are thin shells that are made to cover the front surfaces of your teeth, which makes them a lasting cosmetic solution for white spots.
If you’re bothered by white spots on your teeth, reach out to 2K Dental to learn how we can help get you a stunning, evenly colored smile. Call one of the offices today, or use the online tool to schedule a visit.
