White Spots on Teeth: Is It Demineralization or Decay?

White spots on your teeth can be a bit of a mystery. These patches often indicate areas where the enamel, the hard outer coating of your teeth, isn’t quite as robust as it should be.

One common trigger for these white spots is dental hygiene, or rather, a lack of it—especially for those with braces. It’s not the braces themselves causing the spots but the difficulty in cleaning thoroughly around them. If you don’t manage to brush and floss effectively, plaque can build up and start to demineralize the enamel underneath those brackets. This demineralization process softens the enamel and can make it lose minerals before decay turns it dark.

Tooth decay is the number one chronic disease in both children and adults, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. It affects nearly 3.5 billion people and is 5 times more common than asthma.

But it’s not just poor brushing habits that can lead to these white marks. General demineralization of enamel, even without braces, can contribute to their formation. This can occur if oral hygiene is lacking or if you’re particularly prone to cavities. These spots frequently appear along the gumline or on the biting surfaces of your teeth, where plaque is more likely to hang out.

For those who find brushing and flossing a challenge, starting a fluoride regimen can be a game-changer. Dr. Sharon Huang, the founder of Les Belles, says that other than our diets, there are several other factors that can affect the appearance of your teeth. For example, living in an area with water fluoridation does contribute to better oral health than areas where there is no fluoride in the water. Fluoride helps by remineralizing the enamel, making it more resistant to decay. While it won’t erase existing white spots, it can prevent them from progressing into full-blown cavities.

But what if you’re diligent about your dental care and still see white spots? Other culprits include dry mouth and certain medications, which reduce saliva flow. Saliva is crucial for washing away food particles and neutralizing acids produced by bacteria in your mouth. Without enough of it, you’re at a higher risk for demineralization and, consequently, those pesky white spots.

Then, there are the less common causes, such as enamel hypoplasia and fluorosis. Enamel hypoplasia results in thin enamel due to factors such as vitamin deficiencies or illnesses during tooth development. This condition can make teeth more susceptible to decay and might require restorative treatments like fillings or crowns. Fluorosis, on the other hand, is due to excessive fluoride during tooth development, leading to white or sometimes even brown spots.

How To Treat White Spots on Teeth

First up, if your immediate thought is to reach for a whitening kit, hold that thought. Whitening can sometimes make white spots even more prominent instead of blending them into your natural tooth color. This happens because these spots are often more porous and can absorb whitening agents more intensely than the rest of your tooth, making them appear even whiter.

For those looking for a non-invasive solution, a treatment like ICON resin infiltration might be your best bet. This process involves applying a special resin to the tooth. The resin seeps into the porous enamel and subtly reduces the appearance of white spots. It’s pretty straightforward and doesn’t involve any drilling or scraping, which is a huge plus if you’re not keen on more aggressive dental treatments. Dr. Amara from Boutique for Cosmetic Dentistry explains that it takes one painless visit to the dentist to treat these white spots with resin infiltration. “It’s a much less expensive and non-invasive treatment compared to fillings, veneers, or crowns,” she adds.

 

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Another avenue is remineralization, which can sometimes reverse the early stages of decay where these spots originate. Products like fluoride varnishes or remineralizing pastes can help restore the minerals lost from the enamel, improving the overall health and appearance of your teeth. It’s worth mentioning, though, that while these can halt the progression of decay, they might not always make the spots less visible.

For cases where the appearance of white spots is a bigger concern, or if the spots are particularly stubborn, dental veneers or composite bonding might be considered. Veneers are a more comprehensive solution, covering the entire front surface of the tooth, which not only masks the white spots but also gives you a uniform color and shape. Composite bonding, on the other hand, involves applying a tooth-colored resin to the tooth to cover imperfections. Both options are more invasive than resin infiltration and can be more expensive, but they offer a more permanent cosmetic solution.

It’s essential to discuss with your dentist which treatment is suitable for your specific situation. They can help you understand the underlying cause of the white spots and recommend the most effective treatment to improve not only the look of your teeth but also their health. Remember, each option has its pros and cons, and what works for one person might not be ideal for another.