The Whole Tooth and Nothing But the Tooth

If you have white spots on your teeth that make you self-conscious, talk to your dentist to see what can be done. The spots may not be reversible, but your dentist may have treatments that can help. Since the spots are associated with cavity development, they can signal the need for dental care, so it's good to talk to your dentist about the spots and what to do about them. These are reasons white spots form and ways to get rid of them.

What Causes White Spots To Develop

Many things can cause white spots to form, and they can affect both kids and adults. The spots can form due to abnormalities that occur when the tooth enamel is forming. They are also common in kids who use too much fluoride. Things like poor nutrition and medications can cause white spot development, but a common cause is demineralization due to bacteria, especially if you wear or have worn braces.

White spots are often the first stage in cavity development. Bacteria damage the enamel and leave a white mark behind. The reason this problem is common in people who wear braces is that it's difficult to reach your teeth and brush them well with braces on.

Ways Your Dentist Might Help

One thing your dentist might try is microabrasion. This treatment removes a very thin layer of enamel and scrapes away part of the white spot so it's less noticeable. This treatment might be combined with teeth whitening. The whitening procedure can break up the white spot and brighten the rest of your tooth so the mark is not as noticeable.

Your dentist might also recommend covering the spot with a veneer. A veneer is a thin covering for a single tooth. The covering is usually made of porcelain so it looks like natural enamel. This treatment hides the white discoloration so it won't affect your smile at all.

How To Prevent White Discoloration Of Your Teeth

Once you've had dental work done and improved your smile, talk to your dentist about ways to keep the spots from returning. You don't have to worry about demineralization of your veneer, but it could happen to your other teeth. The best way to prevent this is with thorough daily brushing that removes plaque from the enamel of your teeth. You can prevent white spots in the same way you work to prevent cavities with daily brushing and regular visits to your dentist for cleaning that removes plaque and tartar.

For more information, reach out to a dental clinic like Hayden  Dental.