White Spots on Teeth: What They Are and What to Do About Them

Your teeth will change color at some point. Over time, they tend to get darker because of age and staining. However, you may also notice white spots on your teeth over time. This can be the result of several issues, and you should have them analyzed by a dentist to find the proper solution. Here is a look at what causes white spots on your teeth and how to treat them. 

White spots can be caused by several problems. The most common problem is damage to your enamel. Enamel is a thin cover over your teeth that helps protect them from normal wear and tear. If the enamel is scratched or damaged, it can develop a white color that doesn’t match the rest of your teeth. 

The white spots could also be caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is created by bacteria over time and sticks to your teeth, forming a hard, calcified shell. Plaque tends to be white in appearance and can form anywhere on your teeth. It mostly forms around the gum line, though and can be removed with proper cleaning and care. 

White spots can also be caused by uneven discolorations on your teeth. This is a common problem for people that have braces but don’t keep up their dental care routine. Their teeth start to darken, but the spaces under the brace brackets stay a lighter color. When the brackets are removed, there are white spots where they were attached.

White spots can be treated in a number of ways. In the past these methods would typically mean covering up your teeth or adjusting the surface of your teeth to even out the color. However today, there are much more conservative treatments used to re-mineralize white spots, virtually eliminating them.  Here at Barkoff Dental we have had great success using this treatment to help improve a patients smile and get rid of those white spots all together.

If the spots on your teeth are caused by uneven staining, then the solution is to remove the stains. A dentist can do this with deep cleaning tools that get food particles that cause the stains out of the pores of your enamel. In some cases, this will shave a small portion of the enamel off of your teeth. As long as the full layer is not removed, your teeth will be okay and it should even out the color of your teeth. 

If the white spots cannot be removed, then you can choose to cover them with veneers. Veneers are thin covers that are placed on the front of your teeth to give them a more even color and look. Many people choose to get veneers since they are easy to have placed and last for years. In addition to having a more even color, veneers can also be positioned to make your teeth look straighter. 

If you have white spots on your teeth, then we can help you fix them. Call the office of Barkoff Dental at 516-921-1133 to schedule an appointment. We can help you achieve the smile that you are looking for.