If you’ve noticed small sections on one or more of your teeth that are a slightly different shade of white than the rest of the tooth, they are probably white spot lesions, which are an early sign of tooth decay. White spot lesions are especially common for people that have braces, and are part of the reason why a stringent oral health routine is so important for braces-wearers. In this article, we’ll talk more about white spot lesions, their causes, and how they should be treated. If you have any questions about white spots on your teeth or any other oral health problem, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Gentle Dental Maine!
What Is Causing The White Spots On My Teeth?
White spot lesions have many causes, but there are three things that can make someone especially susceptible to them. The most common cause of white spot lesions on the teeth is demineralization. Demineralization happens when the mineral content on your teeth begins to diminish. As the enamel on your teeth demineralizes, they will begin to decay, leading to cavities, white spot lesions, and more.
The next common cause for white spot lesions is fluorosis, which is a condition caused by consuming too much fluoride. While fluoride is extremely beneficial for your oral health, too much of it can change the appearance of your tooth enamel and cause white spot lesions. Fluorosis can be caused by swallowing excessive amounts of toothpaste or other fluoride-containing products, drinking overly fluoridated water, or taking fluoride supplements.
One more common cause of white spot lesions is enamel hypoplasia, which is a defect that causes teeth to have thin or absent enamel. Enamel hypoplasia can occur on a small piece of a tooth’s surface or on the entire tooth. Either way, enamel hypoplasia extremely makes your teeth vulnerable to dental decay and white spot lesions.
How To Treat The White Spots On Your Teeth
If you notice white spot lesions on one or more of your teeth, you should consult with your dentist who will recommend the best treatment plan. Some common treatments for white spot lesions include topical fluoride use, professional teeth whitening, microabrasions, dental veneers, and more.
Contact Gentle Dental Maine!
If you have any additional questions about white spot lesions or any other oral health problem, please contact our team at Gentle Dental Maine! Our family dentists specialize in general, cosmetic, restorative, and emergency dentistry services at each of our offices in South Portland, Biddeford, and Topsham. Give us a call at any one of our offices, or if you’re not yet a patient with us, please fill out the new patient form on our website!