What is a white spot?
These are ‘white spot’ lesions are white opacities on teeth. These occur after the subsurface layer of enamel on a tooth becomes demineralised. This is often due to poor oral hygiene resulting in plaque, bacteria and acid accumulation on teeth.
White spots on teeth are common in younger children, adolescents and some adults. They can significantly discolour teeth and can affect self-confidence and the ability to smile.
White spots on teeth are common in younger children, adolescents and some adults. They can significantly discolour teeth and can affect self-confidence and the ability to smile.
What are the cases of white spot?
There are many issues that can cause white spots, including:
- Fluorosis – too much Fluoride is arguably the most common reason that white spots develop, even on perfectly healthy teeth. Fluoride is a chemical that is used by dentists to polish and scale teeth, and is also in toothpaste and water. When younger children use too much fluoride it can result in discolouration or enamel spots. and cause use too much fluoride and place excessive toothpaste on their toothbrushes, this can cause white spots to appear. It is the accumulation of too much toothpaste over a period of time that results in white spots appearing in younger children and adolescents.
- Trauma or illness – as a child any trauma or illness experience may lead to white spots forming on adult teeth.
- Demineralisation is also a common reason that white spots appear on the tooth’s surface. This is the gradual leaving of vital minerals, such as calcium, from the tooth enamel. Demineralisation happens when a patient is exposed to too many acidic types of foods and drinks which therefore causes a build-up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. It’s very common for patients that are wearing braces to suffer from demineralisation, and develop white spots as a result.
- Decalcification of the enamel on teeth – this is the loss of minerals from the enamel. This can occur due to due to poor cleaning and hygiene allowing acid in the plaque to sit on the enamel structure long enough that it begins leeching out the calcium from the enamel. The wearing of fixed braces can increase decalcification due to the difficulty in brushing under and around the wires and brackets. We find that dry mouth may also cause areas of decalcification
Treatments
The good news is that white spots can be removed by our dental professionals at Lillywhite Dental Practice. We always encourage preventative measures such as brushing and flossing daily which can work to stop the appearance of white spots on the tooth’s surface. However, for white spot removal, we offer a few industry-leading treatments that include bleaching and microabrasion.
Microabrasion may be suitable where the aesthetic appearance of the white spots on the surface of a patients’ tooth can be improved by removing a small amount of the tooth enamel. This treatment can be used in unison with teeth whitening treatments also. Moreover, bleaching can also be used in partnership with microabrasion or as a stand-alone treatment. Here, we recommend home-bleaching AND in-surgery bleaching to provide the best possible outcomes.
Microabrasion may be suitable where the aesthetic appearance of the white spots on the surface of a patients’ tooth can be improved by removing a small amount of the tooth enamel. This treatment can be used in unison with teeth whitening treatments also. Moreover, bleaching can also be used in partnership with microabrasion or as a stand-alone treatment. Here, we recommend home-bleaching AND in-surgery bleaching to provide the best possible outcomes.
