How to get rid of white spots on teeth? You’re probably disturbed with how your teeth look right now. White spots on your teeth are also noticeable. For this reason, you are most likely to give a very timid smile or smile without showing your teeth. Generally speaking, you need to take care of your dental condition as a whole. Removing the white spot should be one of your targets only. But, your dental care should be more profound than that.
Fortunately, this article will help us achieve white spot-free teeth. Furthermore, we will also find more details about white spot lesions. It will also share ways to maintain excellent dental conditions to prevent various oral issues. Let’s go! We would love to accompany you throughout this article. You can also ask the dentists from Radiant Smiles Bundoora about this condition.
What are White Spot Lesions?
White spot lesions are the white spots on the teeth that may not be a severe area of concern from a medical point of view. However, the appearance is remarkably undesirable. Men or women whose work requires a pleasant impression of teeth need to treat the white spot lesions.
White spots occur due to various causes, which we will discuss later on. Fortunately, there are also ways to prevent these white spots on the teeth from occurring. It is an incredible thing that dentistry has been offering treatment options for various oral conditions.
Causes of White Spots on your Teeth
Several causes can cause white spots to develop in a person’s teeth. We are sharing with you a few of them here.
1 Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosis can occur when a person consumed too much fluoride, especially in young children. Regardless of the benefits that fluoride can give us, ingesting large quantities of it is not advisable.
Too much fluoride can lead to discoloration of teeth, which appears chalky white, yellowish, or brownish. Furthermore, common reasons for spots are swallowing toothpaste brands containing fluoride, drinking fluoridated water, and taking fluoride supplements.
2 Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia involves the improper formation of a person’s tooth enamel. Thinner tooth enamel can increase the risk of developing tooth decay. This tooth defect often results from hereditary factors, vitamin deficiencies, mothers’ medications before birth, and preterm births.
3 Demineralization
It can happen when acids from oral bacteria and sugar attack the tooth enamel. As a result, bacterial plaques form on the teeth. Demineralization is a result of poor oral hygiene. Patients wearing braces commonly experience demineralization. Fortunately, this condition is still reversible as long as the patient receives treatment immediately.
Women’s Dental Health
Generally speaking, women’s dental health might become complicated due to this one thing we call hormones. A woman’s hormones can drastically affect their various health aspects. Aside from oral conditions, it can also affect weight, mood, and many more.
Furthermore, women’s dental health is both functionally and aesthetically essential. The higher the women’s hormones are, the more blood flows into their gums. In effect, a woman can become more sensitive and over-reactive to anything that irritates them. In this case, women are also prone to develop white spots.
Treatment Options for White Spots on the Teeth
The good news beyond having white spots on teeth is that they are still treatable. The dentist may consider any of the following treatments depending on the patient’s white spot severity.
- Enamel microabrasion: The dentist may remove a small amount of enamel from the teeth using this procedure. Teeth bleaching will follow after the process to make all teeth white or uniform in color.
- Whitening treatments: Whitening or bleaching teeth may reduce the appearance of the white spot lesions and other stains. Whitening products, such as toothpaste or strips, are available online and over-the-counter. However, it would be best to ask your dentist for recommendations.
- Veneers: Patients can also choose this treatment option. Veneers are thin layers of ceramic materials that can cover white spot lesions and other stains.
- Topical fluoride: This treatment often applies to patients with enamel hypoplasia. It helps with the enamel’s development and prevents tooth decay.
- Composite resin: The dentist uses composite resin to fill in cavities and bond the outer enamel of the teeth. However, it cannot help those with large numbers of white spots on their teeth.
How to Prevent White Spot Lesions
Why would you want to undergo particular treatments for white spots if you can prevent them in the first place? It would be best to consider the following while your children’s teeth are developing. Dental hygiene is an essential aspect of maintaining excellent dental conditions.
The first thing to consider is finding out the fluoride levels in your tap water, then discuss it with your dentist. Natural fluoride levels vary from one place to another. It is necessary to know the amount of fluoride, especially if you have children at home.
Additionally, parents should be cautious with bottled waters, formulas, drinks, and foods as they may also contain fluoride. Meanwhile, it would be best for pregnant women to discuss what can affect their child’s teeth development with their OB-GYN and family dentist (get advice at www.beyonddentalcare.com.au).
Furthermore, parents should teach their children about proper oral hygiene. That includes brushing and flossing. Children with age below six still need assistance. Additionally, they should only use a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.
As for those wearing braces, brushing and flossing around the wires and brackets can help prevent white spot lesions. Generally speaking, it would be best to limit taking highly acidic foods. Too many acidic foods and drinks can damage the teeth’ surface. A balanced diet is better.
The mouth needs proper care as a whole. Moreover, no one gets an exemption from practicing good oral hygiene. Men, women, and children, regardless of age, have to practice excellent dental hygiene. As a result, they can maintain a healthy mouth, teeth, and gums. It will also help if they practice a healthy diet that includes the vitamins and minerals our teeth need, such as calcium. The surface of the teeth will stay strong, healthy, and free from cavities and plaque buildup. A beautiful smile is a sign of excellent dental hygiene. You can also visit StLeonardsdental.com.au for more dental information.
References:
Eleven tips to treat white spots on teeth, Rachel Nall, MSN, CRNA, Medically reviewed by Christine Frank, DDS, January 27, 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322112
How to Get Rid of White Spot Lesions on Teeth, Colgate.com, Accessed August 04, 2021, https://www.colgate.com/en-ph/oral-health/developmental-disabilities/how-to-get-rid-of-white-spots-on-teeth
