Have you noticed white spots on your teeth? No matter how much you brush, you just can’t seem to get rid of them. In order to eliminate white spots on teeth, you need to know what’s causing them. Let’s take a look at some common causes, along with treatment options for smile white spots.
Common Causes of White Spots on Teeth
Here are some potential reasons white spots form on teeth:
- Decalcification (demineralization): In this process, acid from bacteria eats away at calcium on your teeth. This dissolves part of your tooth enamel, leaving behind unwanted white spots.
- Excess fluoride intake (dental fluorosis): This most often occurs with children when their teeth first emerge. The most common causes are swallowing toothpaste or drinking too much fluoridated water.
- Bacteria: Having too much bacterial growth in your mouth can lead to white spots. Daily brushing and flossing will reduce these risks, as will twice-yearly dental cleanings from your dentist office.
- Low calcium intake: Calcium contributes to the strength of your tooth enamel. Without the proper amount of calcium in your diet, the weakened enamel becomes more subject to bacteria and acid, ultimately resulting in white spots.
- Not brushing properly with metal braces: It’s important to practice good oral hygiene with metal braces because part of the tooth is being obscured by the brackets. If teeth are not cared for properly, the area around the brackets will stain, leaving a lighter area where the brackets once were.
Discoloration of Traumatized Teeth
Traumatized teeth often turn brown, not white. However, treatments for traumatized teeth and white spots are often the same. If you’ve had an injury that caused one tooth to be discolored, you can whiten your teeth to smooth the discoloration. Your dentist may also recommend dental bonding or replacing the tooth with a crown, depending on how healthy the tooth is. Dr. Sadikoff of Clinton Dental Center would be happy to evaluate your circumstances and come up with the proper treatment plan.
How to Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth
Before you get rid of white spots in your smile, you need to know what’s causing them. Talk to your dentist about your symptoms. He or she will ask targeted questions to determine the root cause of the issue. From there, the dentist can recommend the most effective treatment for you. Treatments may include teeth whitening, dental micro-abrasion, crowns, veneers, and other options.
The team here at Clinton Dental Center would be happy to guide you toward the best treatment option. Contact us at (586) 949-5363 to schedule a consultation.
Clinton Dental Center
52892 Gratiot Ave
Chesterfield Township, MI 48051
