Many people want white teeth, but white spots on teeth are a different story. White spots on children’s teeth or adult teeth can mean different things or can have the same underlying causes. What causes white spots on teeth, and what should you do about them?
Beavers & Broomfield Family Dentistry can evaluate the white spots on your teeth or your child’s teeth. Those white spots could signal underlying issues that may need attention, ranging from medical changes to poor oral hygiene.
What causes white spots on teeth, and what can you do to prevent them?
White Spots on a Child’s Teeth
White spots on teeth in kids, including baby teeth, may look different than what you might expect. While some may look like spots, others may resemble streaks that start from the bottom of the tooth and move upwards.
Let’s clarify something — teeth aren’t technically “white” naturally. For most people, they are a shade of white or off-white. Call it ecru or eggshell or whatever you like, but it’s perfectly normal for teeth not to be pure, bright white.
That’s what makes white spots on teeth stand out. They may start out as just a slightly lighter shade, and in some cases, will fade as your child improves their oral hygiene habits. When they don’t fade, they need to be checked to find the underlying cause. The causes could be as simple as poor oral hygiene or as complicated as medical or hereditary conditions.
White Spots on Adult Teeth
White spots on adult teeth or permanent teeth may look different from those on children’s teeth. They usually don’t have the streak-like appearance that some children’s teeth have.
Permanent teeth may get white spots for different reasons. White spots on teenagers’ teeth can occur due to inadequate brushing and flossing while wearing braces. Adults may develop white spots due to certain medications or hormonal changes during pregnancy or menopause.
White spots on adult teeth rarely fade. They may be made less visible with teeth whitening treatments, but it’s best to identify the cause early so the spots can be treated and prevented from worsening or becoming more noticeable.
What Are White Spots on Teeth?
What are those white spots? They’re signs of demineralization of the enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth.
Tooth enamel consists of several minerals that form a hard, protective shell over the dentin (the soft, inner protection) and the pulp (the inner, living portion of the tooth with nerves and blood vessels).
Acids and bacteria can leach minerals from your enamel, leaving thin, weak, white spots. Certain medications and excessive fluoride in young children can also reduce mineral content in enamel and cause white spots.
While fluoride, calcium, and other minerals help strengthen your enamel, white spots on teeth are usually permanent if not caught and treated early.
What Causes White Spots on Teeth?
Why do you get white spots on your teeth? There could be several causes, and identifying the cause of white spots on your teeth can help you prevent more.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor brushing and flossing habits are a leading cause of white spots on teeth. Acids and bacteria form plaque, that white film that covers your teeth and makes them feel “fuzzy.” The longer the plaque lingers on your teeth, the more it builds up, and the more damage the acids and bacteria can cause.
Plaque and tartar remove minerals from enamel, causing it to thin or decay. Eventually, that thin spot can become a hole, known as a cavity.
Fluorosis
While fluoride is beneficial for older children and adults, it can be excessive for younger children. Too much fluoride in children under 8 can damage their teeth, a condition called fluorosis.
The American Dental Association recommends that children under 3 brush with only a smear of toothpaste. Those 3-6 should use only a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. After that, they can use a regular amount. Children should also stick to non-fluoridated water until age 8.
Enamel Hypoplasia
Thin areas of enamel in children are called enamel hypoplasia. This can be caused by poor nutrition, high fever at a young age, premature birth, or the mother smoking during pregnancy. Some medications can also cause enamel hypoplasia.
Mouth Injury
Injuries to the mouth and teeth can cause enamel hypoplasia and white spots on teeth. This is why we recommend children wear mouth guards during sports.
Certain Medications
Some medications can lead to white spots on teeth, especially those that cause dry mouth. Saliva helps rinse bacteria away from your teeth. A lack of saliva allows bacteria to grow faster.
Some medications, including certain chemotherapy drugs, can reduce levels of minerals that help your teeth, such as calcium. Hormone medications can also cause dry mouth or metabolic changes that can affect your teeth and gums.
Talk to your doctor if you have problems with certain medications. There may be alternatives. We can also recommend ways to increase saliva production, such as chewing sugarless gum with xylitol and drinking more plain water.
High-Sugar Diets
Diets high in sugars and starches can increase the levels of bacteria and acids in your mouth that attack your tooth enamel. Foods high in acids can also affect your teeth, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, sodas, and coffee.
Maintaining a healthy diet not only reduces acid exposure but also provides vitamins and minerals that can improve your oral health.
Tips to Prevent White Spots on Teeth
Here are some of the best ways to improve your oral health and prevent white spots on teeth.
- Brush with a fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen your enamel and prevent white spots.
- Floss before brushing. Flossing first will allow you to brush away residual plaque and bacteria left on the tooth’s surface.
- Don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after brushing. It takes about 30 minutes for the chemical reaction between your saliva and fluoride to reach full strength.
- Keep regular dental appointments. Regular dental cleanings can keep your teeth strong and will allow your dentist to spot any potential issues, including developing demineralization.
- Change your toothbrush or toothbrush head every 3 months. Toothbrush bristles wear out and become less effective over time. Changing them out helps keep your teeth cleaner.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Low-sugar diets rich in vitamins and minerals are best for good oral health.
- Drink plain water, preferably fluoridated tap water. Most water filters won’t filter out fluoride, so it’s fine to drink filtered tap water to keep your teeth strong and healthy.
- Talk to your doctor about dry mouth issues. Dry mouth can increase the chances of demineralization and tooth decay. Your doctor may have alternative medications that won’t cause dry mouth.
FAQs About White Spots
How can I get rid of white spots on teeth?
Do white spots mean cavities?
Would fluoride treatments help my white spots?
White Spots Treatment in Fayetteville, AR
If caught early, white spots can be treated and possibly reversed, particularly in children. If you suspect your teeth are developing white spots, schedule an appointment with Beavers Broomfield Family Dentistry in Fayetteville, AR. Let us help you find better ways to keep your teeth strong and your mouth healthy!
