Everyone wants a perfectly
bright smile; however, that doesn’t always happen. A variety of factors can cause our smiles to fade, discolour, or develop white spots. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve your smile.
In this article, we will explain the common causes of white spots, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them from happening to begin with. If you’re looking to remove white spots from your teeth, contact Bloor West Smiles in Toronto.
What causes white spots to appear on your teeth?
1. Fluorosis
Fluoride plays an important role in keeping our teeth strong and healthy. Just by using fluoride toothpaste, you’re helping to keep your smile free from cavities and tooth decay.
However, too much fluoride can have the opposite effect on developing teeth. When children’s teeth are exposed to high levels of fluoride, their teeth can begin to discolour and decay. For example, white spots may appear on their teeth.
Fluorosis can occur when children swallow toothpaste, drink too much (overly fluoridated) tap water, take fluoride supplements, or consume too many fluoridated beverages.
2. Demineralization
Demineralization occurs as a result of extreme bacterial plaque accumulation. Without consistent brushing and flossing, you can’t remove bacteria and food debris from your mouth.
This causes plaque and tartar to build up. The enamel on your teeth also begins to decalcify, leaving the tooth vulnerable to cavities. The resulting white spots are actually early cavities that can be reversed with quick treatment.
Alternatively, demineralization can be a side effect of
wearing braces. When your braces are removed, you may notice white spots underneath or around the location of the brackets.
These are caused by a buildup of plaque deposits, brought on by insufficient oral hygiene or an inability to completely remove plaque from between the brackets.
3. Poor diet
Over time, consuming a highly acidic diet has dire consequences for your tooth enamel. High acid levels found in some food and beverages slowly eat away at the enamel, leaving your teeth vulnerable. The enamel is responsible for protecting your teeth from damage. As it wears thin, you may notice white spots appearing on your teeth or a spike in cavities.
Diets that are high in sugar can also erode enamel. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, producing the acid that attacks your teeth.
4. Enamel hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia is a medical condition characterized by abnormally low quality or thinness of tooth enamel. Since you have less enamel than you should, your teeth are more vulnerable to tooth decay and white spots.
This condition can be hereditary. However, it can also be caused by vitamin deficiencies, trauma to teeth, a preterm birth, taking antibiotics during a fever, or if your mother smoked during pregnancy or was given certain medications.
In addition to white spots, your teeth may be more prone to sensitivity and decay. Your teeth may also have grooves or lines in them.
5. Sleeping with your mouth open
If you wake up with white spots on your teeth, but they go away after a few hours, then you’re probably just sleeping with your mouth open. When you sleep with an open mouth all night, the tooth enamel gets dehydrated. White spots appear as a result. As soon saliva bathes your teeth, the enamel rehydrates, and the white spots vanish.
How do you treat white spots?
Option #1: Enamel microabrasion
During an enamel microabrasion, your Toronto dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface. The abrasion is very mild and gentle, so you shouldn’t feel any discomfort. It can be performed with or without local anesthesia. Once completed, your teeth are covered with a fluoride paste or composite resin to prevent any future sensitivity.
Enamel microabrasion can also be done in conjunction with other whitening treatments to not only remove the white spots, but dramatically improve the appearance of your teeth.
Option #2: Teeth whitening or bleaching
Professional teeth whitening is an efficient and effective strategy for removing white spots and brightening your smile. Whereas over-the-counter whitening methods are unreliable and sometimes unsafe, the teeth whitening offered at Bloor West Smiles is completely safe and delivers flawless results. We provide custom-fitted take-home whitening trays that
transform your smile by reducing the appearance of stains and white spots.
Teeth bleaching, as offered by your Toronto dentist, balances the colour of your tooth’s enamel. It lightens the entire tooth to match the tone of the white spots.
Note, however, that we do not recommend bleach-based whitening if your white spots are caused by excessive fluoride exposure. In these cases, bleaching brightens the spots too, so they still stand out against the rest of the tooth.
Option #3: Porcelain veneers
Veneers are thin layers of porcelain custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly. They’re bonded to the front of your teeth, creating a more perfect smile. Not only do they conceal the white spots, but they also make your teeth look straighter and more symmetrical. This is a good option if your white spots are particularly bad or if you have other cosmetic issues.
Option #4: Topical fluoride
Topical fluoride can be used to treat enamel hypoplasia. It encourages the development of your tooth enamel, thus helping prevent future tooth decay. The white spots should fade as a result.
Option #5: Improve your dental hygiene
If your white spots were caused by poor dental hygiene, it’s time to cultivate better oral health habits. Making improvements to your dental hygiene will prevent further demineralization and future white spots. Remember, you need to be brushing your teeth twice a day (morning and evening) and flossing once per day.
How do you prevent white spots from happening?
Here are a few tips for how to prevent white spots from appearing on your teeth:
- Practise good dental hygiene.
- Eat less sugar and less acidic foods and beverages.
- Brush and floss around the brackets if you wear braces.
- Make sure your child isn’t using too much fluoride toothpaste.
- Teach your child to not swallow toothpaste.
Contact Bloor West Smiles for a Dental Clinic in Toronto
Bloor West Smiles is the premier dental clinic in Toronto. We offer a wide range of dental care services, including teeth whitening for patients with white spots. In addition, we provide other cosmetic treatments that will significantly improve the appearance of your smile. Call us today to set up your consultation.
To learn more about dental care services in Toronto, call
Bloor West Smiles at 416-766-2853 or
contact us here.
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