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3 Types Of White Spots on Teeth

White Spots on teeth

Have you recently noticed white patches on your teeth? Don’t panic, they might be nothing to worry about, and they are usually simple to treat.

What Are White Spots on Teeth?
White spots on your teeth can be an early sign of decay, although in some cases it is a purely cosmetic discoloration with no implications for your health or oral hygiene. In many cases, they can be prevented or treated to remove them and prevent further discoloration.

What Causes White Spots on Teeth?
White spots on your teeth can be caused in adulthood, or as a child, depending on the reason. Some causes of white stains on teeth can be harmful if left unchecked, while others are benign:

The Cause of White Spots Teeth in Adults
White marks on teeth in adults are most commonly the result of the way your teeth developed as a child. Over consumption and under consumption of certain vitamins and minerals can affect the development of adult teeth when they are still growing. Genetics also plays a factor in how susceptible your teeth are to developing white spots.

White patches on teeth that appear after you have reached adulthood are most likely an early sign of tooth decay. They can be addressed by improving your oral hygiene and can be covered by a resin to protect the tooth and limit additional decay or the formation of cavities.

The Causes of White Spot Teeth in Children
White patches on teeth in children are vital to address, as white spots on baby teeth might be a symptom of abnormalities that may impact the development of their adult teeth.

One of the most prevalent causes of white spots on teeth in children is ingesting toothpaste, as its high fluoride content can impair the formation of teeth, especially children’s teeth. This is because their adult teeth are still being developed, and too much fluoride in their system will influence how their teeth grow. Although moderate cases of this are functionally innocuous, more severe cases might damage and thin the enamel coating on their adult teeth because of this.

Bacterial plaque is also a common cause of white teeth spots in youngsters, typically as a result of not brushing regularly enough, or not knowing how to brush their teeth effectively. It can also be the outcome of wearing braces, as wearing braces can make it harder for your child to brush all part of their teeth adequately. While discolouration caused by plaque on baby teeth will not impact a child’s adult teeth, it can be a warning of poor oral hygiene habits that will affect their adult teeth if they are not rectified.

Children can also acquire white spots on teeth due of vitamin deficits in their diet, or vitamin shortages in their mother’s diet during pregnancy and lactation.

Some people naturally have thinner enamel on their teeth which might lead to white patches on teeth. If you have always had white patches on your teeth that are not caused by other reasons, your children can inherit this vulnerability too. Eating too many sugary or acidic meals can also thin your child’s dental enamel.

Different Types of White Spots on Teeth Fluorosis
White patches on teeth are usually produced by fluorosis, a disorder arising from eating too much fluoride. Fluorosis is often caused by swallowing toothpaste, drinking water that has a lot of fluoride in it, or taking fluoride supplements.

Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia is a dental abnormality in which the layer of enamel on the teeth is thinner than it normally is. In adults, it can be caused by a lack of vitamins, physical injury to the teeth, or heredity.

Sugar and acidic meals and drinks can also lead to thin tooth enamel by dissolving the outer layer of your tooth enamel over time. They can also provide a food source for the growth of bacterial plaque. If you have poor dental hygiene, this can get worse because sweets and acids can cause more damage the longer they stay on your teeth.

The removal of minerals
The collection of bacterial plaque on your teeth can decalcify your enamel over time. In many situations, the white spots are early indicators of cavities that can be reversed if they are treated soon. Poor oral hygiene is the most prevalent cause of demineralization, which is a condition that is frequently seen in people who wear braces since braces can make it harder to clean your teeth.

Diet Low in Calcium
Calcium is an essential mineral for the development of healthy teeth. If you increase the amount of calcium you consume, you may be able to avoid or even reverse the development of white spots on your teeth.

What are some ways to eliminate white spots on my teeth?
The best method to deal with white patches on teeth is to prevent them with good dental hygiene and to see a dentist at the first sign of white marks so they can advise you on the type of white spots you have and how to cure them.

Possible treatments include:

If white spots are caused by a lack of fluoride, topical fluoride may be administered.
Micro-abrasion is a procedure that removes a layer of enamel from your teeth, which can help to eliminate various discolorations and stains.
To give your teeth a more uniform white tone, dentists can conduct tooth whitening treatments. Toothpaste, gels, and strips are examples of tooth whitening solutions that do not require a prescription and are available for purchase. These may take longer to be effective than dental bleaching treatments.
Veneers are placed on the front of your teeth to cover up any discoloration. Even while inexpensive or poorly applied veneers can be easy to identify, they can be made to appear very natural.

Finally
White spots on teeth can be created by many factors in both childhood and maturity. If you or your child have white spots on your teeth, you should speak with your dentist about it because there are many things that can be done to address the issue. More importantly, if you do not take care of the problem in a timely manner, it could become worse.

Get In Touch
Marianne Cohan, DDS

Summerlin Dental Solutions

851 S Rampart Blvd #230

Las Vegas, NV 89145

Phone: (702) 341-9160

BOOK NOW
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851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160
851 S Rampart Blvd #230, Las Vegas, NV 89145 | (702) 341-9160
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Based on 94 reviews
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