White spots on teeth can have a variety of causes, including dental fluorosis, hypoplasia of the enamel, poor dental hygiene, and consuming an excessive amount of acidic or sweet foods.
White spots on teeth may be viewed negatively by some individuals, but from a medical perspective, they rarely need to be a serious source of worry.
The causes of white spots on teeth are examined in this article along with eight recommendations for their treatment and avoidance.
Table of Contents
What Are White Spots on Teeth?
Sometimes also known as white spot lesions on teeth, dental white spots appear due to a condition called hypoplasia. It typically denotes a deviation from normal in the growth of teeth. These spots can even appear as marks or stripes on the surface because their color is different from the usual shade of our teeth.
These white blotches may develop during tooth development if your body doesn’t receive enough minerals. A study from the National Center of Biotechnology Information (NCBI) suggests that demineralization of the tooth enamel is a contributing factor in white stains on teeth. It’s not just a surface-level issue. The truth is that these spots may indicate much more serious issues like tooth decay and weakened dental enamel.
6 Common Causes of White Spots on Teeth
Fluorosis
Fluorosis can develop in children who consume excessive amounts of fluoride while their teeth are developing. Fluoridated water, fluoride supplements, and using fluoride-rich toothpaste or mouthwash are some possible sources of fluoride.
Although fluoride is crucial for the development of strong tooth enamel and protection against tooth decay, it can also be harmful if consumed in large doses. Additionally, it may result in tooth enamel discoloration, which frequently results in a chalky white smile.
Bacterial Overgrowth
Bacterial overgrowth may also play a role in the development of white spots. Bacterial growth thrives in the highly acidic environment of your mouth. You’re putting more fuel on the fire if you eat an acidic food.
Dental plaque buildup, which is harmful to your oral health, can also result from the interaction of saliva and bacteria.
Diet
Since calcium is a component of teeth, it can be lost from the body, causing the enamel to erode. You should include calcium-rich foods like leafy greens, dairy products, and almonds in your diet to prevent this. White spots on teeth are more likely to be prevented by avoiding acidic foods. Acidic foods cause acid reflux, which leads to the erosion of enamel.
Braces
People who have braces on frequently discover white spots on their teeth after the braces are taken off. The teeth around the braces weren’t properly cleaned, which is the cause of this. It can be challenging to thoroughly clean your teeth when you have braces, and occasionally plaque or food particles may collect around the braces and cause staining.
Brushing and flossing properly around your braces is the only way to avoid this. This guide will explain how to keep your teeth clean while wearing braces.
Enamel Hypoplasia
In the case of enamel hypoplasia, the enamel is less dense than normal. It is triggered by inherited characteristics, nutritional deficiencies, prenatal medications, preterm births, or tooth trauma.
Medications
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that has the potential to affect the tooth enamel as well as how your body absorbs nutrients. Additionally, when taking antibiotics, bacteria can more easily eat through tooth enamel. Children used to receive the antibiotic tetracycline, which produced grey and brown stripes on their teeth instead of the expected white spots.
8 Tips to Remove White Spots on Teeth
Microabrasion
Enamel microabrasion may be necessary to remove a small amount of enamel in order to improve the aesthetic appearance of white spots on a patient’s teeth. This procedure is typically carried out following teeth-whitening procedures (associated with How do I whiten my teeth? natural and dental procedures are associated).
Tooth Whitening Treatment
A common technique for visibly reducing (or removing) stains or white spots on the teeth is teeth whitening (also known as teeth bleaching). The dentist is in the best position to suggest a teeth-whitening procedure that meets the client’s needs.
Veneers Applied to Tooth Surfaces
Your dentist may recommend veneers as a means of “covering” the entire surface of your teeth to eliminate the appearance of white spots on your teeth. It appears as though the teeth are naturally healthy due to thin, protective veneers.
Topical Fluoride Treatment
One of four primary media—varnish, gel, mouthwash, or toothpaste—can be used by dentists to apply fluoride to white spots on patients’ teeth. In areas of enamel deficiency, this can promote enamel development and strengthen the tooth.
Fillings
The teeth can be restored with a composite resin filling if the dentist determines that the white spots on the teeth are brought on by tooth surface decay.
Home Remedies
The most significant method of oral hygiene is brushing your teeth. Two times a day is recommended for brushing, and you should make sure to cover all of the surfaces of your teeth. After consuming sweets, it is also necessary to brush your teeth. To further keep your teeth clean, you can use a fluoride rinse. When wearing braces, it can be challenging to brush normally. To make it easier to brush and floss through the wire, use a special toothbrush and floss.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an excellent tooth stain remover, so it also works well on white spots. Make a paste with some turmeric powder, salt, and lemon juice. Rub this paste on your teeth for about two minutes after washing your hands. Finally, give it a water rinse.
Vinegar
The acids in vinegar can be used to remove white spots from your teeth. It only takes a few minutes to create a thick paste by combining vinegar and baking soda. It works well to brush your teeth with this paste. To achieve better results, you can perform this once per week.
Preventive Tips
Use Water That Does Not Contain Fluoride
Making up infant formula milk with fluoride-free water can help prevent too much fluoride from building up in the teeth of babies who primarily consume infant formula.
Use the Right Amount of Toothpaste
People should be careful not to use more toothpaste on their toothbrush than a smear, or about the size of a grain of rice, for children under the age of three.
A pea-sized amount of toothpaste should be used for children older than 3 years old, according to their caregivers.
Applying a small amount of toothpaste can help lower young children’s exposure to fluoride because they frequently fail to spit it out. When a child is brushing, watching them can help to ensure that they are using the right amount of toothpaste and aren’t swallowing too much.
Test Well Water
If people have connected their homes to private wells, they should think about having their water tested for fluoride levels annually. Since natural fluoride levels can differ significantly between different locations, this policy is essential for anyone with young children.
Follow Recommendations for Fluoride Supplements
Children between the ages of 6 months and 16 years who reside in areas without fluoridated water and are at a high risk of developing tooth decay are advised to take dietary fluoride supplements, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Only those who have these supplements prescribed by a physician or dentist should take them.
Reduce Sugary and Acidic Foods and Beverages
Certain foods and beverages, particularly those high in sugars or acids, can weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of tooth decay.
Foods and drinks to be aware of include the following:
- Citrus juices and fruits, such as grapefruit, lemons, and oranges
- Hard candies and other sugary sweets
- Sodas and other drinks high in sugars, including sports drinks
While consuming these foods and beverages on occasion might not be harmful, doing so excessively or frequently can cause harm and blemishes, including white spots.
Following the consumption of these foods, drinking water can aid in washing them from the teeth and lowering the risk of damage. A straw may be useful when drinking.
Go to the Dentist
Everyone who is worried about their dental health or the dental health of their child should consult a dentist.
The majority of the time, white spots on the teeth are not a cause for concern, despite the fact that they may not be ideal. However, dental damage and decay may be more likely to affect those who have enamel hypoplasia.
Visit your dentist if you notice any changes in the size, location, or number of the white spots on your teeth, or if you begin to experience tooth pain.
A dentist can assess the signs and the state of the teeth and, if necessary, suggest a course of action.
Summary
While white spots on teeth are rarely cause for concern, they can be treated for aesthetic reasons if the person so chooses. To make the teeth appear more uniform in color, a dentist may suggest procedures like in-office whitening or the use of veneers. White spots on the teeth should be checked out by the dentist if you are concerned.
FAQs
Do White Spots on Teeth Go Away?
With the aid of corrective treatments, white spots can disappear or at the very least diminish in appearance. These therapies may include in-office or at-home bleaching.
What Do White Stains on Teeth Mean?
White areas of decalcified enamel on teeth are the result of demineralization, which is caused by ongoing bacterial buildup in the mouth and subsequent mineral loss from the teeth.
