The enamel on your teeth is the hardest part of your body, and you’ll spend around 38 days keeping it clean throughout your life.
Despite the care and attention we spend brushing our teeth, many of us don’t actually know when to get a professional involved. Damage to your teeth can be painful, sensitive, and require a dentist to correct. Catching problems early on can save you money, time, and pain.
Noticing little white spots on teeth could be a sign you need to brush a little more frequently or the start of a bigger problem.
Read on to find out if you need to call or dentist.
What Causes White Spots On Teeth?
White spots are one of many common tooth decay symptoms. White spots or lines on your teeth mean the enamel is weakened or has worn away. This means the enamel coating is patchy or fading in some areas.
There are many reasons why your enamel might be damaged. However, the most common causes are
- Poor diet
- Poor Oral Hygiene
- Illness
- Genetics
White spots on teeth near the gum are an indication that something else is wrong. Treating white spots on your teeth means tackling the underlying cause.
Poor Diet
If your diet lacks vital nutrients, especially calcium, your body may not have the building blocks it needs to keep your teeth healthy. A balanced diet provides your body with the minerals to build enamel.
Poor Oral Hygiene
People who don’t regularly brush and floss risk a build-up of acidic, cavity-causing bacteria. In this case, the bacteria could be eating away at your enamel and causing white spots.
Consequently, people who brush too often with toothpaste high in Fluoride can also damage their enamel layer. Fluoride in toothpaste is essential for tooth health but can cause problems if used excessively.
Illness
Some illnesses can cause your body to fail to look after your teeth properly. If your body is busy fighting a disease, it may not be able to maintain your teeth’s enamel, causing damage and white spots. In addition, some medications have also been linked to white spots and weakened tooth enamel.
Genetics
Your genetics will play a big factor in your teeth’ health. Some people are more susceptible to white spots and weakened teeth than others. If your parents struggle with white spots and cavities, you may too.
How To Get Rid of White Spots On Teeth
As soon as you notice white spots on your teeth, you should speak to a professional. As a sign of tooth decay, white spots on teeth could require serious dental treatments. A dentist may be able to treat the cause of white spot lesions on teeth, although white spots are a permanent change.
Remineralization treatments can help reduce the appearance of white spots. But if you’re wondering, do white spots on teeth go away, the short answer is no.
Don’t Delay, Get Treatment Today
Since white spots on teeth are usually a sign of a cavity or tooth decay, getting treatment should be your priority. Your dentist will be able to perform a proper assessment and recommend treatment. The longer you delay treatment, the worse the damage will be. Check out our other articles to find out more about how to get healthy teeth and gums.
