Many people use a whitening toothpaste to control surface stains on their teeth. But what about markings that are chalky white?
In order to know how to get rid of these white spots, you need to understand how they got there.
What causes white spots on your teeth?
There are a few different reasons your teeth can develop white spots.
Fluorosis.
Overexposure to fluoride during the first eight years of a person’s life can cause white or brown markings to appear on the teeth. Fluorosis doesn’t affect the health of the teeth and can’t be developed once teeth have erupted from the gum.
Demineralization. .
Tartar, also known as calculus, can build up on your teeth if plaque isn’t removed properly. This is the first sign of tooth decay.
Hypocalcification.
This is caused by overconsumption of acidic food and drinks and/or poor oral hygiene. The loss of the minerals that make up your tooth enamel can cause white spots to develop on the teeth.
Dehydration.
Sleeping with your mouth open can cause white spots to appear on your teeth. You’ll know if dehydration is the cause if they disappear within a few hours. Sleeping with your mouth closed will stop your teeth from drying out.
Treating white spots
It may be tempting to try to remove tartar from you teeth yourself, but don’t do it—you risk damaging your teeth.! A dentist at our clinic in West Edmonton will be able to completely remove it safely during a routine cleaning. For very stubborn or noticeable spots, your dentist or hygienist may suggest microabrasion. This painless procedure involves removing the white spots by very lightly scrubbing them off. Typically, a whitening treatment follows. Your dental professional may also suggest using a toothpaste that aids in remineralizing your teeth. For the most severe cases, crowns and composite veneers can be used to mask the white spots.
Avoiding white spots
You can avoid demineralization and hypocalcification with proper dental hygiene: brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day and have a checkup and professional cleaning done at a dental clinic in Edmonton twice a year. If you’re worried about fluorosis, ask your children’s dentist what you can do to avoid it. Since the water in Edmonton is fluoridated, they may suggest avoiding other drinks that are fortified with fluoride and using toothpaste with no fluoride. If you mix formula to feed your baby, ask your pediatrician if you should be using non-fluoridated water.
Getting help removing white spots
If you have white spots on your teeth, visit Janz Family Dental for a cleaning and checkup. Our dental professionals will tell you why you have these spots and how you can treat them. Call us today to make an appointment.
