What Causes White Spots on Teeth? How to Get Rid of Them?

Table of Contents

Dental fluorosis, caused by too much fluoride consumption, is a common cause of white spots on teeth. Children usually experience this when teeth break through the gums.

Secondly, a build-up of bacteria can cause Decalcification resulting in white spots.

Lastly a condition that causes thin enamel is enamel hypoplasia, which occurs when teeth are still developing. But let’s delve into the different types of white spots that can occur in more detail…

Fluorosis

A fluoride-induced dental condition, fluorosis affects teeth in a cosmetic manner. The condition is caused by an excessive amount of fluoride exposure during childhood. Children are developing their permanent teeth during this period.

Patients with fluorosis may notice their teeth are slightly discolored after their teeth have grown in. Occasionally, lacy white marks can be detected by dentists only. Severe cases, however, may include the following:

Brown to yellow stains
Uneven surfaces
Highly visible pits

Decalcification or Demineralization

The buildup of bacteria in the mouth results in decalcification, also known as demineralization. These bacteria can weaken the enamel, resulting in decalcification. During the process of wearing away the enamel, white or brown spots can form on the teeth. Your dentist must examine your teeth at every appointment if you have this type of tooth discoloration, as it can lead to cavities.

Enamel Hypoplasia or Turners Tooth

Professionals in the dental field refer to Turner’s Tooth as Enamel Hypoplasia, a condition that affects tooth enamel and is related to tooth sensitivity, decay, and an unsightly appearance.

White or yellow spots appear on the surface of the teeth when a patient has this condition. On some teeth, enamel crowns appear pitted or grooved, and in extreme cases, the entire tooth may lack enamel.

As a result of the loss of the protective layer on the teeth, infection is at a high risk, causing significant pain to the child and possibly leading to tooth loss. Indirectly, this condition could result in developmental complications, such as difficulty speaking, eating, and chewing.

How Do You Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth?

Ways to remove white spots from your teeth

White spots are treated differently depending on their cause. You can try these treatments if the cause is treatable.

If you drink carbonated beverages or eat a lot of acidic fruits or drinks, it’s time to reduce your consumption. Reduce the acidic foods you consume daily and replace soda with water.
Monitoring fluoride intake is key: When your child turns two years old, start using a non-fluoride toothpaste and monitor tap water. Your child under the age of three years old can use a rice-sized amount of toothpaste, while older children can use pea-sized amounts.
There are many tooth whitening options available on the market, including over-the-counter products and in-office treatments, such as bleaching using lasers.
Your dentist will use mild abrasion to remove a bit of enamel around the white spot rather than removing the entire white spot. This will make the teeth appear uniformly white. Teeth whitening is often used in conjunction with this treatment for best results.
A composite resin can be used to cover small, white spots if you have very few of them.
The white spots can be concealed with porcelain veneers, a thin layer of porcelain bonded to your teeth. They hide the dis-coloration and prevent further damage to the teeth.
The chin strap keeps your mouth closed while you sleep, so that white spots on your teeth are not caused by your mouth drying out.

Consult Your Dentist About White Stains on Your Teeth

You can discuss any white spots on your teeth with a local dental professional, where a wide range of dental services are available for you and your family. Visit our orthodontist directory to schedule an appointment.

What Causes White Spots on Teeth?

Perry Stevens

Perry heads up a dynamic marketing team that has help the leading orthodontic practices in the USA 10X their business for over a decade. He’s a tea connoisseur, avid reader, traveling and grower of exotic fruits in his permaculture food forest.