What Causes White Spots on Teeth & What Can I Do About Them?

Everyone wants white teeth, but uneven white patches on your pearly whites are a different matter! White spots on teeth can distract from your otherwise gleaming smile and make you feel self-conscious about your appearance. This acute form of enamel discoloration is known as decalcification. Thankfully, white spots on your teeth are no cause for concern medically speaking and can be erased with relative ease. Read on to learn more about this cosmetic flaw and how your Fort Worth dentist can restore your dazzling pearly whites!

What Does Decalcification Mean?

Decalcification, or demineralization, is the process where important minerals like calcium and phosphorus are removed from dental enamel. This weakens them and allows bacteria to seep in and dissolve the natural tooth, leaving a permanent, chalky white spot. While anyone can get white spots on their teeth, there are several factors that are known to cause them.

What Factors Contribute to White Spots on Teeth?

Decalcification and the white spots it causes can be the result of a number of factors, like:

• Bacterial overgrowth: When oral bacteria comes in contact with the sugars in the food you eat, acid is produced. This substance burns through your enamel to cause white spots.
• Too much fluoride: Overexposure to fluoride in early childhood can cause fluorosis, which often leads to white spots on the permanent teeth later in life.
• Highly acidic diet: Consuming an abundance of acidic foods and beverages like sour candy, soda, and sports drinks leaves your enamel weakened and vulnerable to white spots.
• Certain antibiotics: Taking too many antibiotics like amoxicillin can change the way your body builds tooth enamel, making it easier for bacteria to burn through it.
• Braces: Once braces are removed, it’s common to find white spots where the brackets had been bonded to your teeth since these areas had been shielded from discoloration during your treatment.

What Can Be Done About White Spots on Teeth?

While white spots on enamel cannot be reversed, there are several treatments that can help make your teeth look like new again:

• Teeth whitening: A professional teeth whitening treatment is a reliable, safe, and effective means of reducing the appearance of white spots and improving your smile.
• Direct bonding: The tooth-colored composite resin used for direct bonding can fill in enamel grooves and even out the color of your teeth.
• Porcelain veneers: These thin shells of beautiful dental porcelain can be bonded to the front of one or more teeth to conceal a variety of cosmetic imperfections, including white spots.

If white spots on your teeth are keeping you from feeling good about your smile, talk to your Fort Worth cosmetic dentist! They can help you choose the most effective way to restore your sparkling pearly whites.

About the Practice

Drennan Family Dentistry has been serving the smiles of Fort Worth and the surrounding communities for over 40 years. They go above and beyond to offer honest and trustworthy dental care in a relaxing atmosphere to make every visit as pleasant as possible. With a wide variety of cosmetic dental treatments, they’re dedicated to providing truly personalized care for your unique smile. To learn more about fixing white spots on teeth, they can be reached via their website or at (817) 732-5522.