Have you ever noticed white spots on your teeth? Those small white blemishes do make some difference in the smile and will leave one wondering what may be the reason behind them and what methods you can use to remove them.
Do not worry. We’ll discuss what might be the causes, how you can prevent them, and what treatments are available that’ll help your teeth get back to looking great once more.
What are White Spots on Teeth?
Basically, white spots on the teeth are places where the teeth lose minerals in a tooth’s enamel. Enamel is basically the hard outer layer at the top of your teeth that helps protect them. If it loses minerals, it becomes weak and turns into a white spot. These spots can usually be noticed while smiling or viewing your teeth closely in the mirror.
Causes of White Spots
Here are some of the reasons you might develop white spots on your teeth:
- Bad Oral Hygiene: When you fail to clean the teeth regularly by way of brushing and flossing, plaque can build up. This is a sticky film of bacteria that might cause enamel damage and lead to white spots.
- Fluorosis: This is a condition where you have too much fluoride while your teeth are developing. Fluoride is excellent for your teeth; however, excessive consumption can lead to white spots.
- Braces: When using braces, your teeth become a little difficult to clean. Food and plaque collect around the brackets, leading to white spots.
- Diet: It comes as no surprise that high-sugar and acid-rich foods can easily wear away one’s tooth enamel.
- Enamel Hypoplasia: This refers to when your enamel has not formed properly. The reasons include poor nutrition, some drugs, certain diseases in childhood, etc.
Treatment for White Spots
Now, if you have developed white spots on your teeth, it is definitely not the world’s end! There are treatments available to minimize their appearance:
- Better Oral Hygiene: Sometimes only improving tooth-brushing and flossing—might be required to either lighten or eliminate white spots. Your dentist will show you how.
- Fluoride Treatments: Your dentist applies fluoride treatments to harden your enamel and reduce the appearance of white spots.
- Microabrasion: This is the process whereby a very small quantity of enamel is removed from your teeth, thus making the white spot less noticeable.
- Teeth Whitening: Bleaching procedures can even out the colour of your teeth, thereby masking the existence of white spots.
- Veneers: If the extent is greater, then your dentist may recommend veneers. Veneers are thin shells pasted to the frontal part of your teeth to make them look good.
How to Avoid White Spots
Basically, white spots can be said to be an outcome of a lack of taking proper care of your teeth and making wise choices. Here are some tips regarding how to deal with this:
- Brush and Floss Daily: Use fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day when brushing your teeth. Always remember to floss once a day to remove food particles and plaque from between the teeth.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Limit sugary and acidic foods like candy, soda, and citrus fruits. The consumption of plenty of fruits, vegetables, and, more importantly, dairy products keeps your teeth strong.
- Drink Water: Water washes away food particles and can help clean up your mouth. Water is supposed to be drunk much after meals to wash the contents of your mouth.
- Use Fluoride Wisely: Use fluoride toothpaste and drink tap water that has fluoride in it. But avoid overloading with fluoride supplements or treatments.
- Regular Dental Checkups: Regularly see your dentist in Fairview for checkups and cleanings so that he can monitor the first appearance of white spots and take advice regarding their prevention.
Fairview Dental Can Help You Cure White Spots and Restore Your Smile
These white spots on your teeth may seem to be a pretty large problem, but in reality, they really are very common and quite easily treated. Be aware of what might be causing them and how to prevent them, and you will be in a good position to keep a healthy and beaming smile. Proper care will help you flash a smile that will make you proud.
Apply proper brushing and flossing techniques; balance your diet and be sure to drink enough water; and above all, remember to pay regular visits to your dentist. If you have white spots on your teeth, ask your dentist about the best mode of treatment. Because sometimes, your local dentist might recommend you get teeth whitening in Fairview.
