White caries

White spots on the teeth can be a purely aesthetic defect, but can also indicate an increased risk of developing caries or be its initial stage. This means that if you notice any abnormalities in the color of your teeth, you should see a dentist for a diagnosis and the necessary treatment for tooth decay.

White spots on the teeth - what are the reasons for their formation?

There are two types of white spots. Some of them arise as a result of a violation of the stage of enamel formation - amelogenesis. Then they have the character of hypomineralization (undercalcification). The latter appear on already formed teeth and are the initial stage of caries (tooth decalcification). Most often, this happens due to insufficient oral hygiene, improper nutrition, systemic diseases, violations of the quantity and quality of saliva.

White spots on the child's teeth - hypomineralization

Hypomineralization is a developmental disorder, that is, it occurs at the stage of enamel maturation. This is a qualitative anomaly - enamel of the correct thickness, but not sufficiently saturated with minerals. Maturation of the enamel of permanent teeth begins at the birth of a child and continues during the following years of life. It can be disturbed by various factors, such as bacterial and viral infections, disturbances in calcium and phosphate metabolism, medications or excessive intake of fluoride.

White spots on permanent teeth

A special type of hypomineralization is molar-incisor hypomineralization. It appears as white, as well as cream, yellow and brown spots on the surface of the incisors and the first permanent molars (six). The darker the spots, the more advanced the disease. White spots indicate the lowest degree of severity. One or more teeth may be abnormal. Despite the fact that the enamel is the right thickness, it is soft and porous, so it is easy to damage it. This leads to exposure of the dentin and very rapid development of caries. Affected teeth also have increased sensitivity to irritants.

White carious spots

The initial stage of caries can appear as a white spot on the tooth. This is the place where, due to the action of bacterial mineral acids, substances were lost from the enamel surface (demineralization). Since caries has not yet formed, this stage is called pre-caries. Most often, this is the result of hygienic carelessness and bad eating habits (sugar-rich diet, frequent snacks, consumption of sweet drinks). At the white spot stage, remineralization and inhibition of disease progression are possible - caries prevention. A mandatory condition is the elimination of the causative factors and the completion of professional preventive procedures in the dental office. Otherwise, caries will form and the tooth tissue will have to be reconstructed.

The risk of white spots increases during treatment with braces. In the absence of proper hygiene, they can appear as early as 4 weeks after the installation of braces. Most often, they are located around orthodontic brackets and on the gum line - in places where there is bacterial plaque. During daily hygiene procedures, these places should be given special attention.

White spots on the surface of the teeth - fluorosis

Fluorosis is a type of hypomineralization caused by excess fluoride entering the body during amelogenesis. It is more common on permanent teeth. Depending on the severity, it can have a different appearance. From small white spots on the enamel, covering part or the entire surface of the tooth, to brown. In the mildest forms, white spots on the teeth are visible only after drying. Teeth with a mild form of fluorosis have increased resistance to caries. In severe forms, compliance may increase.

It should be emphasized that fluoride prophylaxis together with appropriate nutrition are the main methods of caries prevention. The use of fluoride toothpastes in the amount and concentration recommended by scientific societies for each age group is considered safe. Detailed information on the dosage of toothpastes and their safety can be obtained by contacting our dentistry in Dnipro for a free consultation.

White spots on the teeth - how to remove, how to treat?

Treatment of white spots depends on what caused them. If they are only an aesthetic defect, you can use the many methods offered by aesthetic dentistry. The problem is that spots indicate an increased risk of caries development or are its initial stage. In this case, it is necessary to constantly be under the supervision of a dentist and use professional remineralizing procedures.

Patients with hypomineralization of molar-incisor teeth require special care. They belong to the group of high risk of caries development. They are advised to visit the dental office every three months. Due to the increased porosity of the enamel, and therefore they should pay special attention to the quality of oral hygiene.

All patients with an increased risk of developing caries must undergo professional oral hygiene instruction in a dental clinic with a selection of accessories and tools for cleaning teeth. Every day they should use a toothpaste with fluoride, which has remineralizing properties.