How to Get Rid of White Spots on your Teeth?
White spots on your teeth? We all want our teeth in the healthiest shape possible. It’s no wonder why some people worry for removing white spots. There are some myths that these spots on your teeth are signs of drinking a lot of milk.
Contrary to popular beliefs, they can indicate that many problems are affecting your oral health. White marks on teeth could be related to fluorosis, enamel dental hypoplasia, tooth decay, poor dental hygiene, or demineralization.
Knowing what causes these stains to appear on our teeth might help you prevent them from causing further harm to your pearly whites.
What is the common cause of white spots on teeth?
Are you notice spots? There are several issues and factors we could list as responsible for the presence of white stains on teeth; the main ones are:
Excessive fluoride
Fluorosis is one of the most common causes of white spots on teeth. This condition occurs when excessive amounts of fluoride are ingested while teeth still form, leading to severe damage to the enamel.
While fluoride is considered suitable for our teeth, consuming large amounts might put your oral health at risk. This causes tooth discoloration and white spots. The stains can be yellow, off-white, or, in severe cases, brown.
To avoid fluorosis, limit your intake of fluoridated water. Don’t eat or swallowing toothpaste, and limit your intake fluoride toothpaste for example removes a pea sized amount of toothpaste and limit fluoride supplement.
Enamel Demineralization
Demineralization is superficial damage that dissolves the surface enamel of the tooth. It takes place when plaque sits on your teeth for extended periods.
Plaque forms when the enamel is regularly exposed to acids. White stains on teeth appear after acid exposure from foods and beverages.
Since their surface is rough, they can accumulate stains, causing white spots to darken over time. This erosion of the enamel is often the first stage of tooth decay.
Calcium Deposits
Calcification is the process in which calcium deposits form on bones and teeth. These deposits can form on different tissues in the body, like your gums, for example. When teeth grow, an excessive amount of calcium escapes, resulting in white spots or stains on the enamel. Calcium deposits can build up quickly as we age if we don’t practice proper dental hygiene, causing teeth discoloration.
Enamel Hypoplasia
White spots on the teeth may also appear due to mineral loss. Stains are referred to as enamel hypoplasia. With that condition can result from various events, such as:
- nutritional deficiencies
- high fever
- side effects of the medicine
- premature births
- prenatal smoking.
When the teeth suffer from hypoplasia, the enamel is hard but thin and deficient in amount. Since these teeth are less mineralized than others, they are prone to decay. Plus, teeth with this condition have pits that expose the dentin (the enamel crown has holes, but in some cases, the tooth has no enamel).
Other Factors That Contribute to Creating White Stains on Teeth
Dry Mouth
Holds bacteria, and the acid from said bacteria will harm your teeth, eventually causing white stains.
Acidic Foods
Sour foods like candy, lemons, and vinegar can cause white stains on teeth. These foods are high in acidic levels and work to remove the enamel on teeth, resulting in white spots.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Is a common cause of spots on your teeth! We’re never going to get tired of saying it. Good cleaning habits, like brushing and flossing, prevent plaque from building up. Plaque mainly consists of sugar and starch, and bacteria in the mouth feed off it, producing acid that attacks the teeth, leaving white stains on the enamel.
Teeth Whitening Strips
Are trendy because of their whitening properties, but they contain high acidic levels, which remove the enamel from your teeth. This removal increases the chance of your pearly whites getting white stains.
Wearing Braces
In this case, braces are not precisely the problem. Poor oral hygiene is what causes white stains on teeth. When someone has braces, it’s not easy to clean through every space of your teeth.
Celiac Disease
Shortens lifespans and causes eczema, multiple sclerosis, and osteoporosis. It can also affect the enamel of teeth, causing white spots to appear.
How Do I Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth?
Everybody’s goal is to have a beautiful smile, and stains might impede achieving it. You might wonder how to remove white spots on your teeth; thankfully, specific treatment plan can be used. These treatments depend on the severity and condition of the white marks on your teeth, such as:
Microabrasion
This type of procedure involves removing a thin layer of surface enamel to improve the appearance of the teeth.
The proper application of microabrasion techniques allows a considerable improvement in the appearance and color of the teeth.
While this practice involves removing enamel, the Journal of Applied Oral Science concluded that microabrasion is a safe technique and provides positive results in a patient’s smile.
It might often be combined with tooth-whitening treatments for aesthetic purposes.
Dental Bleaching
Will help you remove white stains from teeth and balance the color of your tooth enamel.
A plus side is tooth whitening, a cost-effective dental treatment to improve your smile.
For better results in removing white stains, visit your dentist for either an in-office dental bleaching treatment or a take-home bleaching kit.
Just note that dental bleaching is not a permanent solution. It requires further maintenance over the years.
Porcelain Veneers
Veeneers are an excellent option for teeth stains that cannot be treated with bleaching or microabrasion. They are thin, custom-made laminates fabricated from ceramic materials.
Get bonded to the front of the teeth, improving their appearance by changing color, shape, size, or length.
Tooth enamel might need to be removed from the tooth to fit a veneer, which looks like a natural tooth and resists future stains.
Prevent White Spots on Teeth
Good dental hygiene
Stick to a dental routine to avoid white spots on your teeth. The least you can do is brushing and flossing at least twice daily and check the fluoride levels in your toothpaste (high fluoride levels can damage your teeth). Also, visit your dentist twice a year. Regular checkups are encouraged every six months.
Avoid acidic foods and beverages
Some can cause severe damage to your tooth enamel. Others may increase acidic levels and dry your mouth, leading to more bacteria growing within your teeth. Sugary and carbonated drinks cause more harm.
Consume foods rich in minerals
Mineral unbalances in your body may cause white stains on your teeth. By eating foods with high mineral levels, you remineralize your teeth. Try to increase your Vitamin D intake, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients help the body absorb and retain nutrients. Obtain calcium from foods like milk, cheese, and yogurt. Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, nuts, fish, and seeds.
Drink Water
Is one of the best ways to prevent white stains on your teeth. Staying hydrated is good for our bodies, so it’s no wonder it helps your dental well-being. If our mouths aren’t properly hydrated, saliva production slows down. There’s not enough to balance our pH levels, allowing bacteria to grow and attack the teeth with acid. Stay hydrated by only drinking water, not juices or soda.
Say goodbye to unhealthy habits
If you want to keep your teeth as white as possible, you should avoid smoking and caffeine. These are highly damaging in different ways. Caffeine has higher levels of acid, which damages the enamel. Smoking and chewing tobacco increase plaque buildup on your teeth. Both of them invite bacteria to enter the pores of the teeth. You are causing more decay and damage, resulting in white stains.
Restore Your Smile and Say Goodbye to Stained Teeth
Transforming your smile can be easy and accessible with a Mexican dentist here at Trust Dental Care. Treatments like porcelain veneers or teeth bleaching are available to treat those unwelcome stains on your teeth.
We’re located in the tourist area of Tijuana, Mexico, just minutes away from the U.S. border. Our team is prepared to give you an excellent dental experience.
Our U.S.-trained dentists are experts in crafting beautiful, lasting smiles. Our staff will take care of all your dental needs in a warm and compassionate environment that will make you feel at home.
You don’t have to struggle with all the problems that white stains on teeth bring into your life. Remember you deserve to feel proud of your smile and get a second chance at showing the best version of yourself.