Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed white spots on your teeth? You might be wondering where in the world they came from and how the heck you can get rid of them before someone notices! If they aren’t going away when you brush your teeth then read on to learn more.
The reasons for white spots on teeth can vary greatly. But, white spots do say some specific things about your teeth.
Finding the right way to get rid of your white spots isn’t always simple, and it does take some research to find the right solutions. If you’re not sure why you have white spots, you might consider stopping into your local dentist’s office in order to diagnose the problem and come up with a solution for it.
So, why do some of us struggle from white spots, and how can we get rid of them? Let’s find out!
What Causes White Spots?
White spots are embarrassing. Everyone seems to be trying to achieve that perfect white smile and, while some work harder than others, we put a lot of time and money into our teeth. So, why do our teeth develop white spots?
Diet is the number one cause of white spots on teeth. Different liquids can stay teeth and causes different areas to become discolored. Foods to avoid are those that are high in sugar or acid. Sugar can cause plaque to build up, and the acid eats away at the enamel on our teeth.
Fluorosis occurs when your teeth have come in contact with too much fluoride. While fluoride is good for your overall oral health, it can hurt your teeth if they come in contact with too much. Fluorosis is most common in places where the fluoride level in water is greater than it should it. Too much of the mineral will cause discoloration.
Plaque accumulation can be a more common cause of white spots. As bacteria plaque builds up, it can become difficult to remove. Most often, white spots because of plaque are caused by poor dental hygiene habits such as not brushing or flossing regularly.
Plaque build-up also often happens with braces. An inability to clean around the brackets, causing plaque sometimes unknowingly causes build-up. Later when the braces are removed, there are apparent white spots where the braces were. This can cause the teeth to appear rough or even chipped.
Enamel Hypoplasia is a complex word. Broken down, it merely refers to nutrient deficiencies present within your teeth. When your body is deficient in certain nutrients, white spots can occur. It can also be caused in children by pre-mature birth or mothers smoking while pregnant.
Treating White Spots
White spots aren’t something that many people are okay with having. While preventing them is much easier than treating them, there are many ways that white spots can be treated. Visit our restorative services page to see how Wayzata Dental can help you.
Microabrasion can seem painful and agitating. This technique is somewhat invasive but successful nevertheless. This process uses tools to scrape plaque away from the teeth lightly. This process is often combined with other whitening solutions.
Bleaching is another common practice. This process, most often overseen by a doctor, bleaches teeth so that the discolored portions begin to match the white spots on your teeth. While this isn’t the perfect long-term fix, it can help you to get a jump start on the whitening process. Note that there are some take-home products that you can purchase, but the results vary between users. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry strongly advises seeing a professional for this treatment.
Veneers are a great last resort to discolored or neglected teeth. Veneers are porcelain shields that cover your existing teeth. Their used when teeth get to the point that they can’t be whitened with traditional practices. Your dentist creates a mold of your teeth and bonds the veneer to them. A veneer is permanent. While this option may seem unpleasant, it is a very successful solution that keeps teeth from staining in the future. You can think of it like a fresh start for your mouth!
Preventing White Spots
The perfect solution to white spots is preventing them. Yes, some white spots develop when children are born, and others are inevitable. But, many types of white spots are completely preventable. To help you in this fight, here are a few tips and best practices that go beyond just brushing and flossing.
Before jumping past brushing and flossing, make sure you’re following these oral hygiene practices.
- Brush and floss daily – best practice is to create a routine that allows you to brush and floss at least two times a day.
- Brush and rinse after every meal – coffee, wine, and foods can stain your teeth, and some sugary foods will cause plaque to build-up fast. Brush and rinse after your meals to keep your teeth clean and free of plaque.
- Eat less sugary and acidic foods – by eating foods that contain less sugar and acid; you’ll give your mouth a jumpstart in its defense against white spots.
- Don’t consume toothpaste – something that many children struggle with and often do is swallow their toothpaste. Swallowing toothpaste causes your body to be exposed to unhealthy amounts of fluoride.
Our mouths can tell us a lot about our oral health. If you’re interested in learning more about different things your body can tell you about your oral health check out this post.
Don’t let white spots stop you from smiling! If you’re uncomfortable with your white spots, schedule an appointment with us today so that we can help you restore your smile. If you’re worried about white spots or other dental problems, we can help with that too! Wayzata Dental has a high-tech and professional approach to dentistry that is sure to give you a comfortable and pain-free experience.