Do you have white spots on your teeth? Are you conscious about discolorations on your teeth? Everyone is proud to have a set of white shining teeth. But do you know that white spots on the teeth dash dreams of flashing a brilliant smile? White spots on the teeth not only make people conscious of their cosmetic appearance but also are not healthy due to various reasons. If you discover white spots on your teeth, the first thing to do is to make an appointment with your dentist.
Though white spots on the teeth may not be serious, it is better to check with the dentist as to why this happens. Normally teeth can be remineralized, strengthened and veneers can be applied. There are gels for remineralizing and xylitol for prevention of bacteria which causes cavities. The chalky white spots which could appear are a sign of enamel decalcification. This can occur if the remineralizing process of a tooth is interrupted. The treatment for white spots is rinsing with green tea, oil pulling and eating foods which are rich in vitamins.
What are the Causes for White Spots on the Teeth?
Some of the causes for white spots on the teeth are due to several reasons such as:
1) Dry Mouth
This can happen when there is not enough of saliva to balance the pH levels in the mouth. This will result in growth of bacteria and with the acid produced by the bacteria white spots will appear on the teeth.
2) Ingestion of Acidic Foods
Acidic foods cause white spots on the teeth. Carbonated soda, lemonade, vinegar, sour candy and lemons will destroy the enamel leading to white spots on the teeth.
3) Dental Braces
When people who wear braces on the teeth neglect oral hygiene, white spots can appear. With plaque building up in hard-to-reach places in the mouth due to braces, brushing becomes difficult and white spots can materialize. It is good to add flossing to dental hygiene to prevent white spots on the teeth.
4) Deprivation of minerals
Hypocalcification can occur when the teeth are deprived of minerals. When this happens it is called hypoplasia with white spots developing on the teeth.
5) Fluorosis
This condition contributes appearance of white spots on the teeth. Fluorosis is too much consumption of fluoride occurring commonly in children before the teeth are fully developed or formed. With this condition damaging the enamel, white spots can become obvious.
6) Deficiency of oral hygiene
Building up of plaque occurs when oral hygiene is neglected. If the teeth are not brushed and flossed on a regular basis, bacteria will develop which feeds on the plaque. This in turn produces acid which corrodes or wears away the enamel causing white spots.
Other causes for white spots on the teeth can be due to high fevers, medications, smoking while pregnant and nutritional defects.
There are various treatments for removal of white spots on the teeth depending on the condition of the patient and the severity of the spots. The treatments include teeth bleaching or whitening, enamel microabrasion, topical fluoride, dental veneers and composite resin.
As enamel hypoplasia can cause a higher risk of dental damage, it is good to practice preventive care with good oral hygiene, using the right amount of toothpaste, utilizing fluoride-free water including reducing of sugary and acidic foods. Precautionary measures also include well water testing, using fluoride supplements recommendations and checking with the dentist on a regular basis.
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