White spots on teeth could be a sign of teeth decay and a potential health concern. They may also affect your smile and appearance. White spots cause an uneven finish and inconsistent color. It is thus important to identify the cause of these white spots and what you can do to prevent them.
Diet
White spots usually develop on your teeth due to numerous reasons. One of the reasons is a diet that is high in sugary and acidic foods. Eating numerous acidic foods regularly will result in your tooth enamel being eaten away. This may result in your teeth being more prone to damage, breakage, and chipping. Sugary foods also cause the formation of acidic plaque, which erodes the enamel. When the enamel erodes, this may cause white spots and discoloration to occur.
Dental Fluorosis
Dental Fluorosis occurs if you consume too much fluoride. While fluoride strengthens the teeth and prevents tooth decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth may be harmful to your teeth and cause discoloration and decay.
This decay and discoloration show up prominently as white spots on the teeth. This can occur if you consume too much fluoride toothpaste or consume too many fluorine beverages. Dental fluorosis also causes a pitted enamel, which makes it harder to clean and brush teeth.
Plaque Accumulation
White spots on the teeth can also occur due to an accumulation of plaque. Plaque is a thin and sticky film that is made up of food particles, saliva, and bacteria that deposits on the teeth. Having poor oral hygiene such as not brushing your teeth regularly or flossing, will result in a buildup of plaque.
This plaque can thus eat away at your tooth’s enamel and cause discoloration. Plaque accumulation can also occur as an effect of wearing braces. Over time, this will cause demineralization of the tooth and the tooth may appear chipped and rough.
Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia refers to the condition of having less enamel than normal. This can occur from a mineral deficiency which causes mineral loss in the tooth. A possible reason could be health conditions whereby the body has a weakened immune system and has difficulty absorbing the necessary nutrients. Other reasons for mineral deficiency could be taking antibiotics when having a fever. The person’s teeth enamel may thus not develop properly and increase the risk of tooth decay and tooth sensitivity.
Treatment
Most white spots on the teeth are not life-threatening and there are various treatment options to eliminate these spots. However, you should see a dentist as soon as you can so that your oral health can be thoroughly assessed and for professional medical advice. Your dentist is also able to check and find out if your white spots are linked to any of your underlying health conditions or are symptoms of a far more serious disease. Some treatments for removing white spots include microabrasion, bleaching, and veneers. Microabrasion involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface via abrasion. This helps to remove white spots and improve the appearance of the teeth. Bleaching is a tooth-whitening procedure conducted by the dentist that can balance the color of your tooth’s enamel.