White Spots on Teeth
White teeth can be a sign of excellent dental health, and many people do everything they can to keep their smile as white as possible. This includes daily brushing, regular dental cleanings, and the use of whitening products. But sometimes, “white spots” can form on teeth.
These white areas differ from the rest of your teeth, and some people find them bothersome. White spots on teeth can be a sign of decay, so it’s important to identify the cause.
Causes of White Spots on Teeth
White spots typically develop on teeth for several reasons. Your dentist can explain the specific causes and determine the best way to treat your condition.
Common causes include:
Diet
Eating too much acidic food can cause white spots on your teeth because highly acidic foods erode your enamel. Acidic foods and drinks include soda and certain fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. This outer layer protects your teeth from damage.
A diet high in sugar can also create acidic buildup that erodes enamel.
Acid reflux (GERD) is another trigger, as it produces acid in your stomach, throat, and mouth. As your enamel breaks down, you may also notice symptoms like sensitivity to hot or cold food and drinks.
Fluorosis
Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents decay, but excessive fluoride during tooth development can have the opposite effect, causing discoloration and decay. This can happen when children consume too many fluoridated drinks or swallow fluoride toothpaste.
Enamel Hypoplasia
This defect means having less enamel than normal. Enamel hypoplasia can occur due to nutritional deficiencies that cause mineral loss in the tooth. Causes include conditions like celiac disease, which interfere with nutrient absorption.
Antibiotic use can also disrupt nutrient absorption.
Additionally, smoking during pregnancy may cause this condition in children. Other symptoms include grooves or lines on the teeth and tooth sensitivity.
Plaque Buildup
White spots on teeth can also form due to bacterial plaque buildup. This results from poor oral hygiene, such as irregular brushing or flossing. It may also appear as a side effect of wearing braces.
Sleeping with Your Mouth Open
You may notice white spots on your teeth in the morning that disappear after a few hours. This is often caused by sleeping with your mouth open all night. These white spots result from dehydration of your tooth enamel. Once saliva rehydrates your teeth, the spots disappear.
Colds can increase the likelihood of sleeping with your mouth open.
Treatment of White Spots on Teeth
White spots may be bothersome, but there are several treatment options available to remove them.
Microabrasion
This procedure removes a layer of enamel from the tooth surface using gentle abrasion. It can eliminate white spots and improve the appearance of teeth.
Whitening
Whitening is a tooth-lightening procedure performed under professional supervision. It helps balance the color of your enamel. The treatment effectively brightens the entire tooth so that it matches the color of the white spots.
Whitening is not effective for white spots caused by excessive fluoride. This treatment may make the spots appear even whiter, resulting in a different shade of white.
How to Prevent White Spots on Children’s Teeth
To prevent excessive fluoride exposure in young children, supervise them while brushing. Only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used on the brush.
Teach children not to swallow toothpaste while brushing. Monitor their fluoride intake and reduce the number of daily drinks if necessary. Fluoride can also be found in fruit juices, bottled water, and soft drinks.
