Our Dr. Kozlow can then examine your teeth and take a detailed history to determine the underlying cause of the blemishes. A number of factors can cause white spots on the teeth. Exposure to excessive fluoride, often during childhood, can be at fault, causing the release of excessive calcium that forms the white deposits seen on the teeth. Alternatively, mineral loss from the teeth can have the same effect, and those white spots may indicate the onset of decay.
White spots on your teeth also can signal plaque buildup, the result of poor oral hygiene practices. Often, patients who have been in orthodontic treatment notice white spots after the brackets have been removed from their teeth. This may be due to plaque accumulation around the brackets, which is hard to eliminate while wearing the braces. The acids found in the plaque then attack the teeth, leaving behind white spots as evidence.
Nutritional deficiencies and genetic disorders are other possible causes of white spots on teeth.
After diagnosing the cause of your white spots, our dentist can recommend an effective treatment to improve your smile’s appearance. If plaque build-up is the culprit, a thorough professional cleaning can eliminate the problem, and staying on top of your oral hygiene routine can keep them from coming back. If you consume a lot of acidic beverages or foods, you may also need to make some dietary changes.
In some cases, teeth whitening treatments may help to even out the coloring of the teeth, or if decay is present, a restoration may be needed.
White spots on the teeth may indicate some sort of oral health issue, so schedule an exam if you notice this symptom. Treatment can help to improve your smile’s appearance and may even save your teeth.
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