If you or someone you know has white spots on his or her teeth, you have probably wondered what they are and what causes them. In this blog I’ll outline some common causes and the solutions I provide as a Batavia dentist.
Dental Fluorosis
If you or your child consumed too much fluoride while your teeth were still developing under the gums, you may have faint white streaks or lines on your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, dental fluorosis is not bad for your teeth and may even make them resistant to decay – but the almost imperceptible lines can affect how you or your child feel about their teeth.
Enamel Hypoplasia
Most often found in children, enamel hypoplasia is a defect of the tooth enamel that occurs while teeth are still developing. Resulting in thin enamel, this condition can affect both baby teeth and permanent teeth. Symptoms include white spots but can also be less obvious and for some people only become obvious when dental problems become more serious – like rampant decay or an overgrowth of bacteria below the gumline.
Acidic Foods & Beverages
Other causes of white spots include poor dental hygiene or overconsumption of acidic or sugary drinks or foods. Be aware of foods such as citrus juices and fruits like grapefruits, lemons, and oranges, hard candies and sugary sweets, and sodas and high-sugar drinks like sports drinks. If you must have these in your diet, add them to mealtime or rinse your mouth with plain water after consuming them.
Solutions For White Spots On Teeth
Once the cause has been determined and addressed, the appearance of white spots on teeth can be minimized or covered, depending on your unique needs.
Enamel Microabrasion
By removing a small amount of your tooth enamel, we can reduce the appearance of white spots on teeth. This non-invasive procedure requires no freezing because we take off such a small amount of enamel. Sometimes, we may recommend teeth whitening to give you a truly high-quality esthetic look.
Teeth Whitening
Professional teeth whitening or bleaching can reduce the appearance of white spots. At Batavia Family Dental, we offer at-home, in-office, and laser teeth whitening, so we can tailor your whitening solution to minimize white spots while also ensuring that your teeth look naturally white and not overdone.
Veneers & Tooth-Coloured Resin
Dental veneers or tooth-colored resin (white filling material) can be used to solve a number of cosmetic dental concerns. In the case of white spots, both options cover the tooth to change its appearance. With resin, I apply and hand-sculpt the resin material to give you a natural-looking smile, then cure the material as I would when filling a tooth – in just one appointment. Veneers are thin shells that are custom made to your unique needs and are applied to the front of your tooth.
Fluoride Applications & Dental Sealants.
You may wonder why a fluoride application would be necessary when we have fluoridated water in Batavia – or how it can address discolored teeth. An added issue for patients with Enamel Hypoplasia is an increased vulnerability to tooth decay, retention of harmful bacteria, and susceptibility to the acids in foods and drinks, which could lead to an increased sensitivity to heat and cold. Fluoride application and dental sealants can help prevent some of the side effects of this condition.
Want to improve your smile? There are many techniques to alter and otherwise enhance your appearance and give you good reason to smile. Let Batavia Family Dental help you choose the best method for your particular circumstances. If it’s time to stop hiding your smile, we invite you to experience the kind of up-to-date, knowledgeable dental care we provide here at 6 Batavia City Centre. Contact us today! We accept most insurances.
Yours in dental health,
Dr. Steve Sokolovskiy, Batavia dentist
P.S. Enamel hypoplasia can increase the risk of tooth decay.