White spots on teeth can be just as worrisome as yellow stains or some other discoloration. While white may seem like a more natural color for teeth, sporadic white spots can indicate weakness in the tooth enamel.
This condition may be referred to as hypocalcifaction or hypoplasia of the enamel. The spots are often an early indicator of tooth decay because they show that the tooth enamel is thinner. These weak spots make the enamel more susceptible to cavities.
Fortunately, white stains on teeth can be prevented, and they can be treated by a dentist.
Appearance:
White spots on teeth can appear on teeth at any age, including infancy. The stains tend to be small white spots that differ from the color of the surrounding area. If bleached, the area surrounding the stain will become whiter, but the white spot itself will also become lighter. It is important to differentiate white stains on teeth from discoloration. Discoloration appears uniformly across the teeth, while white stains or spots make the teeth look speckled.
Causes:
A variety of factors can cause white stains on teeth. Excessive fluoride intake while the teeth are forming can cause infants’ teeth to have white spots. The fluoride is usually found in drinking water and adult toothpaste. The extra fluoride can also affect the permanent teeth that are growing beneath the gums of young children. Acidic drinks and foods, such as soft drinks, sports drinks and citrus fruits, can also create white stains on the enamel because the acid wears down the surface of the tooth. Insufficient dental care can contribute to the spots, as can genetics. Many people who have braces have difficulty cleaning their teeth properly, which results in visible white stains once the braces have been removed. Even trauma can cause teeth to develop white spots.
Treatment:
Dentists can usually identify the cause of white spots on teeth. They can analyze the shape and depth of the stains to calculate the approximate age of the stain. Once the extent of damage has been determined, the dentist can assist the patient in deciding whether to use dental bonding or porcelain laminate placement. Dental bonding is often used when treating cracks and chips in teeth. Dental bonding can be done in one sitting. It involves covering a small roughened portion of the tooth with a plastic resin. The bond is shaped and molded by the dentist so that it matches the tooth. A light is used to harden the resin. Dental bonding may require touchups every few years. Porcelain laminate placement can be used for one tooth or multiple teeth. This is the method usually chosen to correct the appearance of crooked teeth, gaps between teeth or as an alternative to crowns. Porcelain laminate placement may take a few trips to the dentist’s office in preparation for the final placement. The process uses extremely thin porcelain that is bonded to the front of the tooth, which has been roughened for the procedure. A mold of the tooth is usually taken in order to ensure a perfect fit. Like the dental bonding process, the laminate is hardened using a light. The porcelain has the same translucent qualities as enamel and therefore reflects light similarly to natural teeth. Porcelain laminate is also stain resistant because of its smooth surface. The treatment can last for several years before it needs to be replaced.
