After brushing your teeth, did you take a close look in the mirror and notice small white spots covering your enamel? This is actually a common condition, called decalcification. Fortunately, although it sounds worrisome, it’s actually a predominantly cosmetic issue that can be easily treated by your local dentist in Harrisonburg. Read below to learn more about decalcification, like how it’s caused and what you can do to enhance the appearance of your smile.
What Causes White Spots on Teeth?
White spots can develop on teeth for a number of reasons at any point in life. Some of the most common reasons include:
- Overgrowth of oral bacteria: When too many bacteria accumulate on the surface of teeth, usually in the form of plaque and tartar, they release enamel eroding waste in the form of acids. As a result, white spots can appear due to decalcification.
- Excessive fluoride exposure: Fluoride is an excellent way to strengthen the enamel of teeth, but too much of it can cause what’s known as enamel hypoplasia, which causes white spots or deep grooves to develop on the teeth.
- Diet: For the same reasons that bacteria overgrowth can lead to white spots on the teeth, eating too many acidic foods can also lead to enamel hypoplasia.
- Taking certain medications: Certain medications, like amoxicillin, can affect your body’s ability to absorb nutrients, impacting enamel development.
- Following orthodontic treatment: If you’ve completed traditional braces treatment, living with brackets adhered to your teeth will cause white squares to appear on the center of them after they’re removed.
While some of the causes of white spots may be preventable, some aren’t! Fortunately, there are answers to help improve the appearance of your smile by minimizing and removing these white spots.
How Can You Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth?
Regardless of the causes of the white spots on your teeth, there are a few different ways you can treat and reduce their appearance. Including:
- Professional teeth whitening: Oftentimes, over-the-counter teeth whitening products may not be strong enough to minimize the appearance of white spots. That’s where professional teeth whitening from your cosmetic dentist comes in. Using highly concentrated whitening gel, they can help even out the tone and appearance of your teeth.
- Changing your diet: Eating more calcium-rich foods like leafy greens, cheese, and almonds can help fortify your enamel and minimize and prevent the appearance of white spots.
- Veneers: Veneers are thin, individually crafted restorations that are secured to the visible front surfaces of damaged, discolored, or misspaced teeth. They act to improve their appearance and bring balance to your smile.
The best way to learn more about what’s causing white spots on your teeth to appear and how you can treat them is to schedule a consultation with your cosmetic dentist. After a quick examination, they can let you know what options would best help you meet your smile goals!
About the Practice
At Harrisonburg Family & Cosmetic Dentistry, our skilled and incredibly knowledgeable team of dentists offers comprehensive care for the whole family, including a wide array of cosmetic treatments, like veneers and teeth whitening. To learn more about your options for minimizing the appearance of white spots on your teeth, visit our website or call 540-432-6616.