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Dental care is integral to overall health, and ensuring your teeth are white and healthy is a priority for many people. If you have teeth that are discoloured or have spots on them, many treatments are available to restore their appearance. In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know, from what the white spots on your teeth are, what treatment options you have and how those treatments can help you achieve brighter teeth. Keep reading to learn more!
If you’ve noticed some white spots on your teeth, you’re not alone. They’re actually very common. While they may not be immediately noticeable, they can affect your smile’s aesthetic. The good news is that, in most cases, they’re nothing to worry about.
The answer to why you have white spots on your teeth isn’t always simple, as there can be a few different reasons for these spots to develop. However, it’s a common misconception that white spots are “staining” when they are, in fact, a change in the colour of the tooth enamel. And because they aren’t stains, they won’t be removed by whitening procedures.
Dental hygiene is important, and one of the most common problems people have are white spots on their teeth. Believe it or not, there can be many different causes for these unsightly blemishes on your pearly whites! Let’s look at some of the most common causes of white spots on teeth so you can better understand and address the issue.
While many different things can cause those white spots on your teeth, one of the most common causes is trauma. If you experienced an injury to your mouth as a child, the trauma might have resulted in white spots on your teeth. That trauma could be caused by wearing braces or even just because your teeth pressed together when they were growing.
While most people associate white spots on teeth with poor dental hygiene, one of the most common causes is demineralisation, which occurs when plaque builds up on the teeth and leaches minerals from the tooth enamel.
This can happen in people of all ages but is especially common in adolescents wearing braces and eating the wrong foods, or having difficulty keeping their teeth clean.
These white spots are also a sign of what is called fluorosis. Fluorosis is a condition that occurs when someone ingests too much fluoride — either through their drinking water or other sources — while their teeth are developing. Fluoride is a mineral that is essential for dental health, as it helps to harden tooth enamel and prevent cavities.
However, too much fluoride can lead to the formation of white spots on the teeth. In severe cases, fluorosis can also cause the teeth to become misshapen or discoloured. While fluorosis is not a serious medical condition, it can be unsightly and frustrating for those affected by it. There are a few ways to treat fluorosis, such as using special toothpaste or undergoing cosmetic dental procedures.
The best way to prevent fluorosis is to ensure that you do not consume too much fluoride while your teeth are developing. If you live in an area with high fluoride levels in the water supply, talk to your dentist about how you can protect your teeth from fluorosis.
Enamel defects and hypoplasia can result in white spots on teeth. Enamel is the hard, protective outer layer that covers our teeth. It’s what gives our teeth their white colour and makes them resistant to everyday wear and tear.
Enamel starts to form during tooth development in utero and continues to harden throughout childhood. If there is a problem with the formation of enamel, it can lead to defects or thinning of the enamel (hypoplasia). These conditions can make teeth more susceptible to staining and decay.
Several factors can contribute to enamel defects and hypoplasia, including genetics, certain illnesses and medications, and trauma to the teeth. In some cases, the cause is unknown. If you have enamel hypoplasia or defects, your best course of treatment will depend on the severity of the condition.
In mild cases, good oral hygiene and regular dental visits may be necessary to keep your teeth healthy. More severe cases may require more extensive treatment.
Another common cause of white spots on teeth is down to dietary choices. Eating a lot of sugary or acidic foods can damage the enamel and cause white spots to form. To help prevent this, brush your teeth after eating sugary or acidic foods and drink plenty of water throughout the day. You should also try to limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods overall.
There are other dietary causes of white spots on teeth. One of the most common is calcium deficiency. Calcium is essential for strong teeth, and when there is not enough calcium in the diet, the enamel weakens and becomes more susceptible to staining. Eating foods rich in calcium, such as green leafy vegetables and fish such as sardines and pilchards (where you eat the bones), can help to prevent this type of staining.
If you start taking a new medication and notice white spots beginning to form on your teeth, it’s important to talk to your dentist and doctor. There are a few reasons medicines can cause white spots on teeth, but the most common is a change in tooth enamel.
Some medications can make the enamel more porous, which makes the teeth more susceptible to staining. In other cases, the spots may be caused by an excess of fluoride in the saliva, which can happen when taking certain medications. Whatever the cause, it’s vital to get any changes in your oral health checked out by a professional. With early diagnosis and treatment, you can keep your teeth healthy and avoid further damage.
Another common cause of white spots is genetics. If you have white spots on your teeth, it could be because one or both of your parents also had them. In short, it’s genetics. The enamel on our teeth is made up of microscopic crystals, and the amount and distribution of these crystals are what give our teeth their final colour.
People with fewer or smaller crystals will have teeth that appear more translucent and, ultimately, more yellow, and those with more or larger crystals will have whiter teeth. The size and shape of the crystals are determined by genetics. So, if you’re wondering why you have white spots on your teeth, the answer could be simple. It could be due to your genes!
Prevention is always better than cure, right? White spots on teeth are a common cosmetic dental issue. While they are not harmful to your health, they can be unsightly and make you self-conscious about smiling. There are several things you can do to prevent white spots from forming on your teeth in the first place, including some basics of looking after your teeth:
If you are concerned about white spots on your teeth, talk to your dentist. They can help you find the best way to prevent them from forming or treat them if they occur.
In short, the answer is no. White spots on your teeth are caused by a loss of minerals, resulting from poor dental hygiene, certain medications, or excessive vomiting or acid reflux. Once the minerals are lost, they will not return on their own. However, there are treatment options available that can help to restore the mineral content of your teeth and improve their appearance.
Whatever the cause, there are ways to get rid of those white spots and keep your smile looking its best.
The first step is to figure out what is causing the white spots. If they’re simply from not brushing properly, then the solution is easy. Just start brushing more thoroughly! If the spots are from something more serious, like tooth decay, then you’ll need to see a dentist to get them removed.
Once you know what’s causing the white spots, you can start treating them. If they’re just from poor hygiene, brush twice daily and floss regularly. If the spots are from decay, your dentist will likely recommend professional treatment. In most cases, this will be ICON white spot removal treatment.
ICON white spot treatment is a convenient and effective way to disguise these spots and restore the aesthetic of your smile. The treatment involves placing a special resin on the surface of your teeth, which is then absorbed by the white spots. The resin camouflages the spots, blending them with the natural colour of your teeth. After just one treatment, you will see a significant improvement in the appearance of your smile.
ICON white spot treatment is a quick and easy way to eliminate unsightly white spots. The treatment is pain-free and can be completed in a single visit. Best of all, it provides immediate and long-lasting results. If you’re looking for an affordable and effective way to improve the appearance of your teeth, ICON white spot treatment may be right for you.
If you’re concerned about white spots on your teeth, this treatment can give you the confidence to show off your smile again.
ICON treatment is popular because it is non-invasive, painless, and removes stains quickly and effectively. However, ICON treatment isn’t permanent. It usually lasts around two years, although some people don’t see the return of white spots on their teeth for up to five years after the treatment.
If you are considering ICON treatment, you should weigh up the pros and cons carefully to decide if it’s right for you. On the one hand, ICON treatment can give you a bright, healthy smile; on the other, it’s important to be aware that the treatment isn’t permanent, and you may need to repeat the process every few years.
There are plenty of benefits of teeth whitening, but many people believe it will help get rid of white spots on their teeth. However, this is a common misconception. The white spots are not simply stains, so whitening toothpaste will have little effect. In fact, it may even make them worse. The bleaching agents in whitening toothpaste can cause more damage to your tooth enamel, making the white spots more visible.
ICON white spot treatment may not be suitable for everyone. If your white spots are particularly deep, the treatment will not have as much of a positive effect. An alternative to ICON is enamel microabrasion.
Enamel microabrasion is a minimally invasive procedure used to remove white spots on teeth. The dentist uses hydrochloric acid and pumice to gently remove thin layers of your tooth enamel, slowly removing spots and stains. The procedure is safe and effective and can be performed in the dental office.
The major advantage of enamel microabrasion is that it is less expensive than other methods of removing white spots, such as traditionally used veneers or dental bonding. In addition, the procedure can be performed in one visit to the dentist and does not require any special care or maintenance. However, there are some disadvantages to enamel microabrasion.
First, enamel microabrasion can only be used to remove superficial staining. If the white spots are deeper in the enamel, they will not be affected by the treatment. Second, enamel microabrasion can cause sensitivity and discomfort during and after the procedure.
Finally, there is a chance that the enamel microabrasion will not remove all of the white spots, and additional treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired results. Despite these disadvantages, enamel microabrasion is still an effective way to improve the appearance of stained teeth.
Veneers are thin layers of protection that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are an effective treatment option for white spots because they can cover up the affected area and improve the overall appearance of your smile. You can choose composite or porcelain veneers, depending on what your dentist advises.
However, veneers are a more invasive treatment option and are more costly than other options. Therefore, you must consult your dentist to determine whether veneers are the best treatment option based on your unique situation.
If you’re looking for a teeth whitening solution that is affordable and easy to use, ICON White Spot Treatment should always be your first consideration. However, it is important to always talk to your dentist before making any treatment decisions, as they will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation.
It’s easy to find out! All you have to do is send us six photos of your smile.
Our cosmetic dentists in Bournemouth will then analyse your photos and send you your very own Confident Smile Report advising you on how to achieve your smile goals. From there, you can book a complimentary video consultation.
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You’re looking for a dentist who will make the process easy and explain every step of how they plan to remove those pesky white spots from your teeth. We promise you; it’s not as complicated or time-consuming as most people think! A free video consultation with one of our specialists is just an email away — so what are you waiting for?
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Dr Gareth Edwards BDS (Hons) MFDS RCPS (Glasg) qualified from dental school with honours. Practising from Bournemouth and Poole, he has a keen interest in orthodontics and aesthetic dentistry and is a certified Invisalign provider. Smile Stories provide professional teeth whitening in Bournemouth.
