How to Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth: 5 Easy Ideas
You’ve probably heard about tooth stains and all the ways you can remove them to make your teeth look whiter. But did you know that your teeth can develop white spots too? Even though white patches are undesirable, they rarely cause serious problems. If you’ve already noticed them, you must be wondering how to get rid of white spots on teeth.
The good news is that the condition is treatable with proper dental hygiene and the right information. So, let’s take a look at what causes white spots and five tips for treating them.
What Are the White Spots on Your Teeth?
These spots are technically known as lesions and could indicate early deterioration. Fluorosis (too much fluoride in your mouth), enamel hypoplasia (enamel grows too thin), enamel demineralization, poor calcium intake, and improper dental hygiene can all cause white lesions.
Can White Spots on Teeth Go Away on Their Own?
White spots on teeth can appear at any age. However, they are not likely to go away on their own. Luckily, there are some things you and your dentist can do to help them disappear. We will talk about how to get rid of white spots on teeth in the last section.
What Causes This Condition?
Several things can cause white spots on your teeth. For instance, dental fluorosis is a common cause. People frequently develop this while they are young because they consume too much fluoride as children. It is often a harmless disorder that occurs just before the teeth breach through the gums.
Enamel hypoplasia is another possible reason for white areas on teeth. Hypoplasia, like fluorosis, only occurs during childhood while teeth are still forming. It is a defect that makes the enamel thinner than normal.
The condition can be hereditary or caused by a vitamin deficiency, trauma to teeth, meds a mother takes during her pregnancy, and premature birth. Hypoplasia can raise the risk of tooth decay.
Demineralization can also create white spots of decalcification of the enamel due to bacterial plaque buildup. You can see this in people with braces who don’t take care of their dental hygiene properly. The white patches are the beginning stages of cavities that, if treated promptly, can be healed.
How to Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth: 5 Ways
There are five ways you can treat white patches on your teeth. The right option for you will depend on your age, the root cause, and the severity of the problem.
1. Using Fluoride Topically
Generally speaking, fluoride reduces demineralization and can aid in the treatment of small white spots. To begin with, your dentist may propose remineralizing the teeth using a topical fluoride paste, for example, 5,000 ppm fluoride dentifrice.
2. Teeth Whitening or Bleaching
Whitening your teeth using peroxide can even out the enamel color. You can buy different whitening products over-the-counter, such as toothpaste, strips, and gels, but the results usually take longer.
Or you can visit a dentist for a professional whitening treatment. Dentists use stronger bleaching solutions than what you can buy OTC, which is why these treatments work better.
3. Enamel Microabrasion
Microabrasion is also an option. Microabrasion is a professional procedure where a thin layer of enamel is removed from your teeth using a special dentist tool and abrasive paste. Afterward, dentists usually recommend whitening to make the teeth seem more consistent in color.
4. Dental Veneer
Adults with extreme white spots or other demineralization-related discoloration may benefit from crowns or veneers. Dental veneers are thin pieces of ceramic material that a dentist attaches to the front side of your teeth. As a result, the teeth look natural and are stain-resistant. This is an excellent solution if bleaching alone does not remove your discoloration.
However, keep in mind that only a dentist can make your dental veneers, and a specialist must install them. That’s why they are usually expensive.
5. Composite Resin
If you have hypoplasia, a dentist can use composite resin to fill cavities and bind the outer enamel. But such a solution might not be appropriate for those who have a lot of white areas on their teeth.
How to Prevent White Spots on Teeth
Now that you know how to get rid of white spots on teeth, you may be wondering how to prevent them from returning. Let’s take a look at a few tips.
• Practice good oral hygiene. That can help prevent white spots from reappearing as well as other problems like gum disease, tooth decay, and stains. Brace users should brush and floss around wires and brackets on a regular basis.
• Keep track of your fluoride intake. Determine the levels of fluoride in the tap water and consult with a professional. Many bottled drinks of water, drinks, foods, and formulas also contain fluoride, so you should avoid them.
• If pregnant, check the meds you are taking. Consult with your doctor to see if your medication can affect the child’s developing teeth.
• Help your young children with toothbrushing. Make sure they use a proper amount and don’t swallow fluoride toothpaste. They also generally don’t need fluoride mouth rinse.
