What Causes White Spots on Your Teeth & How to Get Rid of Them

Do you have white spots on your teeth?

If you do, you’re not alone. White spots are actually pretty common and they affect a lot of us, children and adults alike.

Regardless of your age, white spots also make many of us feel insecure about sharing our smile. Fortunately, we have options to take them away so that you can confidently share your smile again, and make the world a better place.

First, we need to figure out what’s causing your white spots. Having white spots on your teeth can be linked to a variety of factors, so understanding the cause is important before we can help determine the best option to treat them and bring back your smile.

What Causes White Spots on Your Teeth?

1. Enamel Demineralization
   This happens when plaque accumulates on your teeth and acids from bacteria from plaque start to erode minerals, primarily phosphate and calcium, from the enamel of your teeth. As the enamel demineralizes, it becomes more porous, which causes the affected areas to appear as white spots compared to the surrounding enamel. If you struggle with maintaining your oral hygiene, or you consume a lot of sugary foods and drinks, you are at risk of enamel demineralization.
2. Fluorosis
   It’s not as serious as it sounds, but it’s due to an overexposure of fluoride, especially during childhood when the teeth are developing. It can occur when there’s an excessive systemic exposure to fluoride, either by drinking water with high fluoride levels, or taking fluoride supplements. P.S. Fluorosis is not linked to the fluoride found in your toothpaste from your routine daily brushings when used correctly (a pea-sized amount and not swallowed).
3. You Had Braces 
   A lot of adults who had braces in their youth, or have had recent orthodontic treatment, can also develop white spots on their teeth due to the difficulty of cleaning around braces’ brackets and wires. This can allow plaque to form on areas of the teeth, and when it’s not removed, it can lead to demineralization of the tooth enamel, resulting in white spots.
4. Aging and Wear on Enamel
   Your tooth’s enamel works hard for you every day. Over time the enamel will naturally wear down. As your tooth enamel thins, exposing the underlying dentin, the tissue beneath the enamel, which has a yellower hue, and the accumulation of stains over time, including white white spots.
5. Enamel Hypoplasia
   This is a developmental condition where the tooth enamel doesn’t form properly, leading to areas of weak enamel that appear white. The white spots are a visual result of the enamel being less mineralized or thinner in specific areas. These spots may appear as small patches or streaks that look white or cloudy. The severity of the spots can vary, and they may become more noticeable when teeth are exposed to acidic foods or drinks. Some of the causes of it are genetics, or nutritional deficiencies.
6. Cavities in Early Stages:
   Adults can develop white spots on their teeth as part of the early stages of tooth decay. This can happen if plaque is not properly removed, leading to acid erosion and early cavity formation. The white spots appear before the tooth fully decays, and if caught early, they can often be treated.

How Do You Get Rid of White Spots?

1. Fluoride Treatments
   A fluoride treatment can help remineralize tooth enamel and reduce the appearance of white spots. When fluoride is applied to the teeth, it helps to replace lost minerals and strengthen the enamel. This can make the white spots less noticeable or even reverse the early stages of tooth decay, reducing the appearance of the spots.
2. Microabrasion
   For mild white spots, an option could be a microabrasion procedure, which involves removing a very thin layer of enamel from the affected area. This treatment can improve the appearance of white spots by smoothing out the surface and reducing the contrast between the spots and the rest of the enamel.
3. Resin Infiltration (ICON)
   ICON is an excellent option for adults with white spots due to demineralization. This minimally invasive treatment involves applying a special resin to the affected area to fill in the microscopic pores and restore a smooth, uniform surface. It’s particularly useful for early-stage enamel damage and provides natural-looking results. This spot removal treatment requires no anesthetics and it can be completed in about 45 minutes.
4. Veneers or Bonding
   If the white spots are more severe or don’t respond to other treatments,  Dr. Kyle may recommend veneers (thin, custom made tooth colored casings that cover the front surface of your tooth). or composite bonding, which uses a tooth-colored resin material that’s applied to teeth to improve their appearance, or fix minor dental issues. These options completely cover the white spots and restore the teeth’s appearance to a more uniform shade.
5. Professional Teeth Whitening
   In some cases, a professional teeth whitening treatment can also help reduce the contrast between the white spots and the surrounding enamel. Whitening, however, may not work effectively for all types of white spots, especially if they are caused by fluorosis or deep demineralization.
6. Better Oral Hygiene
   Preventing  white spots or reducing existing ones often starts with good routine oral hygiene. Regular brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and not skipping check-ups or teeth cleanings can help prevent plaque buildup and further demineralization.

Don’t let white spots get in the way of your beautiful smile. If you’re ready for them to be gone, Dr. Kyle can help you determine the most appropriate treatment based on the underlying cause and the severity of the spots.

Please give us a call at (206) 242-0066 to schedule a consultation or reach out to us online!

P.S. White Spots Be Gone – See How it Worked for our Patient!