White spots on teeth are often associated solely with aesthetic issues, but the reality is that these spots can lead to future dental consequences, such as cavities or other issues.
Although this condition does not present symptoms, it is best to schedule an appointment with a dentist to assess the severity of the situation.
Below, learn more about tooth stains, the possible causes, how to prevent them (if you don’t have them yet), and the available treatments at the moment.
🧑🏻⚕️ So, what exactly are the white spots that sometimes appear on teeth?
One of the main causes of the appearance of spots on teeth is the imbalance of enamel.
Dental enamel is composed of 90% mineral substances and 10% water and organic materials. During tooth formation, imbalances can occur due to the presence of certain substances, resulting in spots.
In addition to the substances that appear during the tooth formation process and alter the balance, there are other causes of white spots on teeth. We will discuss them throughout the content.
Do tooth stains have associated symptoms?
Tooth stains do not have associated symptoms, and for this reason, many patients do not schedule an appointment to assess the condition of the stains. This is not the correct attitude because the stains can evolve, becoming a more serious dental problem.
Moreover, the stains can have different causes. If the cause is a cavity, for example, the problem can progress to the point where treatment becomes more difficult. It is also possible that you may start to feel pain or even lead to tooth loss.
Despite being asymptomatic, tooth stains can affect patients’ self-esteem.
What are the possible causes of white spots on teeth?
White spots on teeth can appear for various reasons, such as cavities, excessive acidity in the mouth, certain lifestyle habits, and dental fluorosis. The latter is the most common cause.
Discovering the cause of tooth stains is easy; just schedule an appointment with the dentist. During this appointment, the most appropriate treatment for the problem can also be decided.
1️⃣ Dental Fluorosis
Dental fluorosis is the most common cause of white spots on teeth. This condition is associated with a chemical alteration that occurs during tooth formation and can be caused by excessive use of fluoride by children.
Fluoride is widely used to maintain balance within the mouth, especially by children, but its excessive use is also not good and can result, among other things, in white spots.
The treatment is simple; it involves removal through teeth whitening. The dentist may also opt for another treatment mentioned throughout the content.
2️⃣ Cavities
White spots on teeth appear when the process of enamel demineralization begins, that is, when a cavity starts to form. This means you can treat the cavity before it becomes a problem for your health!
The only way to assess if the white spots are caused by cavities is by scheduling an appointment with the dentist. The evaluation is usually quick, and in some cases, the treatment can be done on the spot.
Prevention is always important when it comes to cavities. Once formed, a cavity requires dental treatment, such as filling, to restore the tooth’s integrity. If left untreated, it can progress and cause pain, infection, and in severe cases, even lead to tooth loss.
3️⃣ Excessive Acidity in the Mouth
High acidity in the mouth is detrimental to dental health as it can cause enamel demineralization. It is essential to maintain a balanced pH in the mouth to ensure the integrity of the teeth.
Factors such as excessive consumption of acidic foods and drinks, gastroesophageal reflux, poor quality saliva, or behaviors like bulimia can make the oral pH too acidic. This acidity can not only cause white spots on teeth but also lead to dental erosion and other associated problems.
4️⃣ Enamel Hypoplasia
Enamel hypoplasia can appear due to hereditary issues, cavities in baby teeth, trauma, use of certain medications, vitamin deficiencies, among other reasons. With regular check-ups, the dentist can evaluate this issue.
In addition to tooth stains, enamel hypoplasia can also cause changes in dental structures or tooth color.
5️⃣ Lifestyle
Your lifestyle can influence dental health and result in the appearance of white spots.
Alcohol consumption and smoking are two of the most common habits that promote the appearance of these spots on teeth (due to the dehydration these habits cause).
Simply quitting these habits may not be enough to solve the problem. It is best to schedule an appointment with the dentist.
How to Treat White Spots on Teeth? Discover the most common treatment methods in Portugal
The treatment for white spots on teeth will depend on the underlying cause of their appearance.
In this content, we will share with you the most common treatment methods, but it is best to have a consultation with a professional dentist to evaluate your case and find the most appropriate treatment. If there are multiple causes, the treatment may take longer.
✅ Microabrasion
Microabrasion is a minimally invasive treatment and, therefore, is one of the preferred methods to address white spots on teeth.
In this treatment, chemicals are used to remove the part of the enamel corresponding to the white spot or even remove the entire superficial layer of the enamel. In both cases, the treatment is minimally abrasive for the patient, unlike other treatments.
At the end, the dentist may apply fluoride to protect your teeth. This application only occurs in some cases.
✅ Dental Veneers
Dental veneers, or contact lenses, may be the best option in cases of severe dental fluorosis.
These dental veneers are used to completely alter the patient’s smile. They can change the shape, size, color, or length of the teeth, resulting in a more beautiful and stain-free smile.
This treatment may take a bit longer than the others because the veneers are designed and customized for each case. The good news is that the result, nowadays, is very close to natural dentition!
✅ Teeth Whitening
Teeth whitening, or dental bleaching, is a treatment used for aesthetic purposes to make the smile whiter without damaging the teeth. However, it is important to highlight that before performing the whitening, all existing cavities must be treated and eliminated.
In the case of stains, whitening is used on the outer layer of the tooth, resulting in the removal of white spots and making the smile more harmonious and beautiful.
The great advantage of this treatment is that, in addition to resolving white spots on teeth, it will also improve the aesthetics of your smile, especially if you do a complete whitening.
However, keep your expectations within possibilities, as there is a limit to how “white” teeth can get. But believe me, whatever that limit is, you will leave the office with a more beautiful smile and feel more confident.
✅ Icon DMG Treatment for Stains
Icon is an innovative solution for the treatment of incipient cavities or demineralizations that appear in the interproximal areas or on the buccal surfaces in the form of white spots on teeth.
Without damaging healthy tissue, in just one simple session and without the need for drilling or anesthesia, it is possible to treat cavities and white spots on teeth.
To treat white spots with Icon, an infiltrating resin is applied that achieves a refractive index similar to that of healthy enamel. This helps to uniformize the light refraction on the teeth and make the appearance of the infiltrated lesion more similar to that of the surrounding healthy enamel.
Remember that prevention is very important in these matters. Even if you don’t have white spots on your teeth, schedule a consultation with our specialists to assess the state of your oral health.
How to Prevent White Spots from Appearing on Teeth?
Now that we know the possible causes of white spots (or at least the most common ones), we need to know how to prevent the appearance of these spots if they haven’t appeared yet or if you have undergone treatment and want to prevent new ones from appearing.
The most common and truly effective prevention methods, according to our specialists, are:
- Routine check-ups: there is nothing more important than having regular dental check-ups. During these appointments, the dentist will assess the health of your mouth and teeth and perform a thorough cleaning where possible stains and plaque will be removed. These check-ups will also help prevent the appearance of other dental problems.
- Proper dental hygiene: maintaining good oral hygiene is one of the most important steps to avoid the appearance of white spots and any other oral health problems. Brush your teeth with an appropriate toothbrush and toothpaste, and don’t forget to use a mouthwash that makes sense for your case. And, of course, always use dental floss.
- Enamel remineralization: sometimes, as we have seen throughout the content, the problem lies in a chemical imbalance. If this is the case, the dentist will recommend some products for enamel remineralization, which will result in chemical balance. Do not use products that were not recommended by the dentist.
- More suitable lifestyle: if lifestyle is the cause of the spots, changing your lifestyle is essential, even if it is not enough to remove them. The dentist may advise you to stop consuming alcoholic beverages, quit smoking, or change your diet and avoid acidic foods.
Do you want to treat white spots on your teeth?
Call (+351) 915 550 999 ℹ️ or use the form below to schedule your appointment at our Atelier do Sorriso Clinic in Almancil, Faro, in the center of the Algarve.
