Many people want whiter teeth. White spots on teeth, however, aren’t desirable. They’re possible if you don’t properly brush your teeth with braces, though. Once those braces come off, you could have white spots around the area where the brackets used to be.
Fergus Orthodontics encourages patients to be diligent about brushing and flossing with braces and clear braces. One reason we do that is to help prevent white spots on teeth. What causes white spots on teeth? Let’s find out!
What Are the White Spots on My Teeth?
Some people notice white spots on their teeth after braces. These spots are caused by decalcification (also called demineralization) of the enamel.
The enamel is the hard outer shell of your tooth that protects the living interior. The enamel is rich in calcium. Plaque — that white, filmy stuff on your teeth before you brush — contains bacteria and acids that leech the calcium from your enamel. This leaves those areas weak and thin and gives them a white appearance.
A form of tooth decay, white spots on teeth represent vulnerable areas of your tooth. Cavities can form at the white spots if the teeth aren’t brushed regularly. Often, you see white spots on the front teeth, but they can also occur on the back teeth.
Why Do I Have White Spots on My Teeth?
What are the causes of white spots on teeth? The biggest reason is poor dental hygiene. Patients with braces who do not brush and floss daily risk developing white spots on their teeth.
White spots often result from plaque buildup around brackets. Sugary or acidic foods can cause faster decalcification. This includes candy, soft drinks, citrus fruits, and fruit juices. White spots also can be caused by chronic dry mouth, poor nutrition, and enamel hypoplasia (thinning).
Those of you with Invisalign aren’t safe from white spots on teeth. They can show up whether you are wearing braces or Invisalign or with no treatment at all. Poor oral hygiene can cause white spots with or without orthodontic treatment.
How to Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth
Is it possible to get rid of white spots on teeth? It’s possible to make them less visible, but decalcification of the enamel is permanent.
Microabrasion of the Enamel
Microabrasion treatment can reduce the look of white spots by removing a thin layer of tooth enamel from the tooth and evening out the color. However, this can make the tooth more sensitive since the enamel is thinner and, therefore, less protective of the nerves underneath.
Tooth Whitening
Some people bleach or whiten their teeth after braces or after microabrasion treatments. Unfortunately, there may still be white spots on teeth after whitening because the treatment may not remove all the color from your teeth. However, your white spots should be less visible after whitening.
Topical Fluoride
Dentists may give enamel hypoplasia patients a topical fluoride gel to apply to the teeth to encourage enamel development. This will strengthen your enamel and reduce the white spots and the chances of getting more.
The topical fluoride gel can only be obtained by prescription, so you will need to visit your dentist to get the gel.
Veneers
Patients also eliminate their white spots with dental veneers. These are porcelain shells placed on the front of the affected teeth to hide flaws, including white spots. Veneers can give your teeth a new appearance, but they are permanent.
The enamel must be ground down to make room for the veneer, leaving the tooth vulnerable without the veneer. Most porcelain veneers last about ten years before they need to be replaced. However, they must be replaced, or the teeth could be vulnerable to sensitivity and tooth decay.
How to Prevent White Spots on Teeth
What’s the best way to prevent white spots on teeth? The easiest way is to brush and floss daily with braces. Here are the best ways to avoid the decalcification of teeth with braces.
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste. Do not use whitening toothpaste with braces because it will not whiten the areas under your brackets!
- Brush with an electric toothbrush, which has movement that can get around brackets better than a manual toothbrush.
- Brush every morning and night for at least two minutes at a time. Ideally, you should brush after every meal.
- Rinse your mouth with water if you can’t brush. It will loosen particles around the brackets and remove some plaque until you can brush.
- Use a floss threader to get around brackets and wires, and floss your teeth properly. You should floss at least once a day.
- You can use a water flosser to help remove particles around brackets and between teeth, but it is not a substitute for dental floss. It is an acceptable addition.
- Use a fluoride mouthwash half an hour after brushing to strengthen your enamel. The fluoride needs about half an hour to reach maximum protection power, so don’t eat or drink for 30 minutes after mouthwash or brushing.
- Visit your dentist at least twice a year for regular cleanings and examinations to check for any signs of tooth decay or gum disease.
- Keep your orthodontist appointments so we can check for any problems with your braces or any white spots forming on your teeth.
These steps can help keep your enamel strong and keep white spots from forming on your teeth.
Braces Treatment in Jonesboro, AR
White spots can be prevented by simply brushing and flossing properly several times a day every day. Good oral hygiene will help not only during your braces treatment but also before and after.
If you don’t have braces and are ready to get started, schedule a consultation with Fergus Orthodontics for braces in Jonesboro, AR. We will lay out your treatment options and develop the best treatment plan for your dental health. We’re ready to guide you to a beautiful new smile!
