White Spots on Teeth: Danger, Source Diagnosis, Causes in Adults and Kids, Treatment

Actually, the white marks of various shapes on teeth is a common enough dental issue. Still, not only the patients, but also well-qualified dental care providers get often confused with the exact source triggering the chalky, flat, or opaque marks, appearing on the middle part, end of the teeth, or even on their root part, affecting whether several teeth or just a single one.

And what makes us concerned the most is the totally "silent" nature of the condition, which means that it rarely reveals any additional symptoms, apart from the actual white spots on teeth. However, the main question concerned with the sign is if these white marks are really harmless for you.

Why Are White Spots on Teeth Dangerous for Me?

Even though average dental care providers do not consider the white spots on teeth to be the major dental disorder and widely associate it with the decalcification in the first place, the ADA experts ask their patients to look deeper into the root cause of these white marks issue.

First of all, consider that the decalcification is not the only source of the white spots on teeth. And even if the disorder is caused by the loss of minerals, anyway, it also involves the teeth enamel softening and thus, damage. This way, the white spots on teeth syndrome makes your teeth extremely prone to dental caries.

Thus, by determining the decalcification root cause, or any other relevant white marks trigger, a dental care provider will be able to strengthen his patient's teeth enamel in a natural way, without using any dental drills or fillings, which are the most common white spots on teeth treatment appliances.

How Can Dentist Tell What Causes My White Spots on Teeth?

The important aspect on the white spots on teeth source diagnosis is the nature and shape of the marks investigation. For instance, the chalky white marks usually indicate that a patient's diet is particularly low in proteins. The flat surface white spots on teeth automatically reveal their owner's love towards artificial acidic beverages.

After the thorough physical examination, your dentist will look through your medical record to eliminate the possibility of the poor hereditary pattern, major underlying general or dental health conditions, or even some orthodontic appliances usage that might trigger the white spots on teeth. Apart from that, he will ask you the really precise questions about your routine oral hygiene program and dietary pattern to find out the actual white marks source. Special questions matter is the white spots on teeth in kids.

What Do White Spots on Teeth Have to Do with Calcium?

If your white spots on teeth are obviously chalky white, the chances are high that the disorder is caused by the loss of the minerals (in the first turn, calcium). And most commonly, the body in general and teeth in particular decalcification is caused by acids, which easily dissolve and remove the minerals from the teeth.

And actually this teeth enamel destructive process is closely linked to the modern people diet, which is primarily composed of the processed and high in sugars foods. The acids content in such a diet is obviously high. The other sources of the concentrated acidic environment in the oral cavity are dental infections, plaque buildup, and certain general health diseases.

If the decalcification turned to be the source of your white spots on teeth, it can be managed by the dietary changes, including the protein rich foods, or even calcium pills intake. Also avoid the acidic, so-called energy, or infused in vitamins fruit drinks to prevent or at least decrease the size of your white marks. Still, consider that these treatment measures are enough only on the early white spots on teeth stages, when the dental caries signs have not yet developed.

However, apart from the decalcification disorder, the white spots on teeth problem often gets triggered by the excessive amount of minerals in the patient's body. And the latter source is most commonly related to the fluoride toothpastes usage.

How Does Oral Hygiene Pattern Influence White Spots on Teeth?

However, there are actually two opposite aspects to get concerned about your dental hygiene pattern, when it comes to the white spots on teeth. As I have already mentioned, the first one is the excessive amount of minerals due to the fluoride toothpastes constant usage. Also consider that even tap water contains fluoride and thus, is also likely to cause white spots on teeth.

In contrast to that, the white marks might appear on the teeth, which have been long-term exposed to the dental plaque. The thing is that the plaque is actually an acidic sticky substance, formed due to the dental bacteria activity. However, consider that there needed a week or two for your teeth to be in an everyday contact with the acidic environment for the decalcification and consequent white spots on teeth development. So, the people, who exercise the adequate oral hygiene, are actually on the safe road.

How Does Physical Damage Cause White Spots on Teeth?

The teeth or facial traumas, especially the ones acquired in the childhood are also the major causes of the white spots on teeth. The white marks are also are likely to appear in the result of the aggressive dental treatment. For instance, the most frequent white spots on teeth causing enamel damages are associated with the teeth whitening procedures, especially, when performed without a dental professional's assistance.

And finally, many patients notice the small white spots on teeth, when they have their dental braces taken off. However, these are not the signs of physical damage, but the result of the dental plaque accumulation between the brackets. This type of white spots on teeth can be easily managed by using the powerful jet and antibacterial mouthwashes.

What General Health Conditions Trigger White Spots on Teeth?

The general health condition commonly triggering the white spots on teeth arrival is an acidic reflux. The thing is that the condition involves the constantly high acidic environment in the patients' oral cavity. If this is the cases, the white marks will appear primarily on the end of the teeth.

Apart from that, the calcium levels misbalance is also a common source of the white spots on teeth. Also consider that the medications, associated with the dry mouth side-effects, are also linked to the white marks arrival.

What Causes White Spots on Teeth In Children?

The white spots on teeth in kids are usually associated with their permanent teeth growth and commonly disappear on their own. But still, it is worth seeing a dentist, if you get concerned about some of the above-mentioned sources of white marks on your child's teeth.

How Are White Spots on Teeth Treated?

The disorder management is closely linked to its actual source. If your white spots on teeth are triggered by the lack of minerals, the marks can be actually naturally reversed by dietary changes and / or calcium pills intake, if there is no signs of tooth decay.

On the other hand, the fluorosis is much harder to be treated than the decalcification. Also particularly stubborn are the white spots on teeth triggered by facial or teeth traumas. The latter two cases usually require the additional cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening or even dental veneers placement.

If your white spots on teeth have been caused the dental caries, you will have to get the additional teeth decays filling treatment.

And finally, remember that the individual white spots on teeth cause determination should be managed by your dental care professional. Only in such a case, the white marks treatment will be successful. Be healthy and wealthy!