What are the white spots on teeth? Get insights on causes of spots on teeth, after braces, whitening, being sick, how to prevent and get rid of such marks effectively.
What Causes White Spot on Teeth?
The white spots on your teeth can be easily identified because they are lighter than the rest of the enamel and might even have a completely different texture from the surrounding tooth.
Such spots on teeth are usually locations where the minerals in tooth enamel have been worn out or removed. The process is known as demineralization or decalcification.
What is left is a hollow structure that is whiter than the rest of the tooth. Some of these areas might actually feel like pitted regions or indentations in the tooth.
The spots are usually permanent although they can fade a small amount over time even if you do not get professional treatment.
Your dentist may tell you that the first evidence of tooth decay is a white spot lesion, meaning your tooth’s enamel will have an opaque color in the spot where the cavity is starting to form.
Decay caused by white spots on teeth requires examination and treatment by a dentist. Since there are several different causes for these white spots, it’s best to have your dentist examine your teeth when you first notice them appearing so he or she can try to determine why you are developing them.
White Spots on Teeth Causes
Here are some of the major reasons for white spots on teeth.
- Acidic foods and drinks.
White spots on teeth can be caused by consuming too much acidic food or drink. For instance, if you drink a lot of sports drinks, vitamin water, carbonated soda, lemonade, or apple cider vinegar, their high acidic content can rapidly eat away at your teeth’s enamel and natural minerals. Eating sour candies and foods made with lemon or vinegar can also cause these spots as well.
- Dry mouth.
If you have a dry mouth and not enough saliva to keep your mouth’s pH level near neutral, acid-producing bacteria will thrive and attack your teeth.
Certain prescription drugs, medical conditions, tobacco usage, and breathing through your mouth when sleeping can cause dry mouth.
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, suck on xylitol mints, or use mouth rinse specially formulated for dry mouth.
3. Plaque buildup from poor oral hygiene.
Plaque is a sticky, colorless film of bacteria and debris that forms on your teeth after eating carbohydrates (sugars and starches).
The bacteria feed on sugars in your mouth and produces acidic waste that dissolves your enamel, which causes white decalcification, and cavities.
4. Acid reflux.
If you suffer from acid reflux, your mouth will experience higher levels of acidity than normal. This high acidity can damage your teeth, resulting in white spots.
- Celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease affecting up to 4% of the population. Celiac disease may cause white spots on teeth. Besides causing the spots, celiac disease can also lead to undersized teeth, yellowing teeth, and teeth with groves or pitting on permanent teeth.
- Excessive fluoride (fluorosis).
Consuming excessive fluoride, especially during your teeth’s development, can cause teeth to develop white spots. For instance, if you live in an area where drinking water contains a high fluoride level.
- Genetic disorders. In some cases, the white spots on your teeth may be caused by genetic disorders.
- Whitening strips. It’s been reported that even some brands of whitening strips can cause white spot on teeth, especially if they are left on for several months. They are highly acidic and over time can de-mineralize the tooth’s enamel.
- Wearing braces. Braces won’t cause white spots on teeth, but poor dental hygiene while wearing them can cause Plaque builds up on hard to reach places because braces make it hard to brush your teeth well. When the braces are removed, these places could have white spots as well as tooth decay.
- Decalcification:
Spots on teeth can also be caused by decalcification, which is the loss of calcium salts in the teeth and bones. If your diet lacks calcium, or you have a genetic issue with absorbing calcium, you could be dealing with decalcification.
White spots on teeth child
Most babies don’t start getting teeth until they are 6 months old, infant dental care is important from the very beginning. Many dentists recommend an initial visit before the child’s first birthday to make sure teeth and gums are cared for and cleaned properly.
What may cause White spots on teeth child
- Decay
When you see white spots on baby teeth, often those spots can be an early sign of tooth decay, but it can also be an indication that your child is getting too much fluoride
White spots on teeth are often one of the first signs of tooth decay in children. The spots often appear along the gumline and are usually a chalky, pale color. If the decay continues, these spots will eventually turn brown or yellow.
At this point, the decay is still reversible. Once you see these spots on your child’s teeth, you should see dentist. He or she will most likely provide a gentle fluoride treatment and clear any plaque and tartar off of the enamel while they’re there. Receiving fluoride early in the process can help reverse the decay by strengthening your child’s tooth enamel and preventing the formation of acid that wears away the teeth over time.
- Fluorosis
White spots on teeth child can be a sign of too much of fluoride. This is called Fluorosis. In many cases, the white spots that develop on teeth affected by fluorosis are barely visible or only so when a child sees a dentist. The spots that form in this case might be blotchy or streaky.
One thing about fluorosis is that, a child can only develop the condition while his or her teeth are still forming. Once the permanent teeth come in, the risk for fluorosis drops.
Another advantage concerning fluorosis is that it may actually be helpful because it can make the teeth become resist to decay.
Note
Although fluorosis is usually not harmful to children or their teeth, you should take action to make sure your child is getting just enough fluoride and not too much.
Keep an eye on how much water your child drinks – one of a few major sources of fluoride in his or her daily routine. At this age, your child specifically doesn’t need to use fluoride mouth rinses or tablets, unless the dentist recommends it to treat a separate issue.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on your child when brushing his or her teeth, as it’s possible to go overboard with toothpaste as well.
When it’s time to brush, put just a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your child’s brush and explain that the amount is just right for getting their teeth clean. Additionally, remind your child not to swallow the toothpaste; always spit it out when you’re done. You might want to practice brushing together so your child can clearly see the right way to brush their teeth.
Not only will this help your child enjoy a healthy mouth from a young age, but it will help him or her learn excellent oral care habits that last a lifetime.
White Spots on Teeth after Brace
Dental braces (also known as braces, orthodontic cases, or cases) are devices used in orthodontics that align and straighten teeth and help to position them with regard to a person’s bite, while also working to improve dental health
Braces can do amazing things for people with overbites, under-bites or crooked teeth. They do have to be worn for a significant amount of time to straighten the teeth. This can sometimes cause problems. White spots on teeth can eventually be realized after the removal of braces. The spots are normally around or just under where the braces were mounted. This can affect the appearance of your smile for decades to come.
If you do not do anything, then the white spots are likely to remain visible on your teeth permanently. Fortunately, many different treatments exist today that can either minimize or eliminate the appearance of the spots.
Below are some of the most common ways to get rid of the white spots on your teeth once the braces are removed.
- Good Oral Hygiene
When you want to relieve the problem of white spots on teeth after brace is by practicing good oral hygiene. This means brushing two to three times a day and flossing daily.
This benefits your teeth in two ways. The first is that the action of brushing is going to help normalize the appearance of your teeth so that the bright white spots start to fade.
The second way is by removing any bacteria that could easily get into the demineralized areas and cause more damage or staining. Flossing is important because it gets more of the bacteria out of your teeth.
- Dental Veneers
This is a common dental procedure that can effectively remove any signs of the white spots on your teeth that appear after removing braces.
These are slivers of a material like porcelain or a composite resin. Your teeth are treated to make the surface rough. The veneer is then affixed to the front and secured in place with a type of dental cement.
The veneer has a completely natural appearance. It creates a new surface and hides the marks beneath. Dental veneers are a fast and easy way to regain a bright and healthy smile.
- Re-Mineralization
One of the most common ways to remove white spots on teeth after braces is through a process known as re-mineralization. This technique is effective because it directly addresses the problem causing the spots in the first place.
Re-mineralization involves applying some type of cream or other substance to your teeth for a set period of time. The cream contains the minerals that the bacteria have removed from your teeth. Your teeth will reabsorb those minerals rebuilding the area. Re-mineralization can cause the spots to fade or could remove them completely depending on your individual situation.
- Composite Restoration
The white spots on your teeth sometimes sink below the surface of the surrounding enamel creating a sunken area. If this happens, then composite restoration is a way to deal with the problem.
Composite restoration is a dental procedure that uses a special type of resin. The resin is applied to your teeth over the white spots. It basically fills in the area so that it is level with the rest of the enamel. The resin can be colored to match the rest of the tooth. Composite restoration has the potential to solve any problems you have with discolored areas after your braces are removed.
- Tooth Whitening
This is very common procedure that could help is tooth whitening. This special chemical process uses hydrogen peroxide solutions or other substances to make your teeth whiter. It can have a fast and direct impact on the white spots on teeth after braces.
The whitening solution will help to normalize the color of your teeth making the untouched enamel brighter. The result will be teeth that look much more natural. You can do tooth whitening at home with a kit or see a dentist for treatment. The type of professional whitening done by a dentist is far more effective in this situation.
- Microabrasion
Another way to get rid of the white spots is through a process called microabrasion.
This technique uses a mixture of fine particles of pumice and hydrochloric acid. This mixture is then placed onto your teeth and rubbed across the surface as many times as necessary.
The mixture starts to sand down and polish the enamel. The ultimate result is that the white spots will be less noticeable or completely gone afterwards because all new enamel is exposed. Microabrasion is a process that can be combined with other dental techniques in order to give you the brightest and most consistent smile possible.
White Spots on Teeth after Whitening
The procedure of teeth whitening is proven to be safe and effective; some may experience unwanted white spot on teeth after the procedure. Here’s what you need to know ahead of time about the possible appearance of white spots on your teeth.
(a.) Teeth whitening doesn’t cause white tooth stains, but if your teeth already have white stains caused by hypocalcification, then tooth whitening could make them more visible.
(b.) Hypocalcification is caused by exposure to too much fluoride (Fuorosis) a diet high in sugar or acid, heavy plaque, and often is visable when orthodontic bands and brackets are removed. Getting rid of these spots can be difficult, as some tooth whitening procedures can cause the hypocalcified areas to appear much whiter, making the difference in color even more apparent.
(c.) You may not be able to completely erase white stains on teeth, but there are other treatments available to possibly correct the discoloration of your teeth
Prevent future white spots on teeth after whitening by:
Keeping your teeth white requires regular maintenance. Stains can come back or be very stubborn. Your dentist will have you come in for future whitening treatments in addition to treating any other dental issues, like cavities. Daily care also goes a long way in preventing stains, including brushing twice a day. Whitening toothpaste can help remove stains and make sure your teeth stay healthy and bright.
A sparkling smile is attainable with diligent brushing, professional cleanings and whitening treatments.
Always check with your dentist first if you’re considering any type of whitening treatments, whether at home or in office, and to discuss the best options to minimize stains and enhance your smile.
How to get rid of White Spot on Teeth Overnight
There is several remedy that can help eliminate white spots, but the best procedure will depend on the severity of your condition and how much it costs to treat. Here are some options to discuss with your dentist:
- Bleaching
Bleach-based tooth whitening can help balance the color of your tooth enamel. For the safest results, you need the whitening procedure or a dentist-supervised, take-home kit. Over-the-counter (OTC) bleaching products and whitening toothpastes are also available, but the result may take longer and not be as dramatic.
- Brace regulation
If you or your child is wearing braces, help them brush and floss around these brackets and wires regularly to reduce the risk of white spots ruining the look of their straight teeth when they come off.
- Stop smocking
Are you a smoker? Now is a good time to start the process of quitting.
4Toothpaste regulation
Children under the age of six can incur these spots too, and should therefore use only pea-sized amounts of fluoride toothpaste (make sure they don’t swallow).
Remarks:
Don’t let acute discoloration keep you from smiling. Like most oral issues, figuring out how to get rid of white spots on teeth may be easier than you thought.
More reference:
- Mouth health: mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/w/wisdom-teeth
- Dental health: https://www.dentalhealth.org/tell-me-about/topic/sundry/wisdom-teeth
- Teeth whitening: https://hismileteeth.com/products/teeth-whitening-kit
- Tooth decay: nhs.uk/Conditions/Dental-decay/Pages/Introduction.aspx
- Oral care: gumbrand.com/gum-oral-care-cleaning-kit-832rb.html