Another type of dental white spot is caused by an elevated systemic exposure of fluoride during childhood tooth development. ... Black lines on teeth near gums. While a relatively arbitrary differentiation, as long as the surface lid of the affected area retains enough structural integrity that it remains intact (including when tested by your dentist with their tools), the lesion is still considered a white spot lesion. "what are the white lines on my gums?" The explanation for this lies in the fact that the surface enamel of teeth is typically far more resistant to the demineralization process than that which lies deeper, and thus remains less affected. (The tooth with the largest white spot in our picture is a lateral.). Just as evaluating the amount of damage that has already occurred is vital, it's also important for the dentist to judge the lesion's level of current activity and potential to progress further. Studies have shown that introducing xylitol (a natural table sugar substitute derived from birch trees) into your diet can create a substantial anti-cavity effect. As a result, the surface of the affected area starts to lose its shine and glossiness, and overall the lesion begins to take on a lighter, chalky-white appearance. Cancel. Whitening should be done under the supervision of a dentist. This is an entirely different type of lesion than the one discussed on this page. Generally speaking, anything that helps to promote tooth enamel remineralization will not only help to prevent white spots from forming but also, as discussed below, help to repair the damage that has caused them. (This entire subject is discussed in more detail below.). White-spot lesions in orthodontics: Incidence and prevention. E-Commerce Web Design by. Teeth should not have brown spots; people know and recognize brown is an unnatural, unhealthy color on a tooth. When the brackets are removed, the white spots will spoil the appearance of the teeth. Detracting from this approach is its cost (of materials, for regular application visits). For example, some studies have evaluated its use with people who wear dental braces. They may have a brown coloration (a result of picking up stain) and are found in areas where persistent plaque accumulation is not a problem. Skipping dental visits, spotty hygiene habits, or poor brushing technique can lead to white spots near the gum line where plaques were heaviest. One newer approach for treating white spots involves first etching the lesion's surface with an acid conditioner and then bonding a flowable tooth-colored dental restorative into and over it. Calcium phosphate products (including amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP), casein phosphopeptide-ACP, calcium sodium phosphosilicate, and tricalcium phosphate) release both calcium and phosphate ions that may then aid with the remineralization process of tooth enamel. The most important treatment goal with white spot lesions is to arrest the damage process and remineralize the tooth surface before the lesion progresses to full cavitation. While none of the approaches above may give perfect results, if passable they can help to avoid the need for an outright repair (such as placing a filling or veneer), and the long-term maintenance required with it. Someone having braces removed wants the best smile of their life, so extra vigilance in an oral care routine is warranted while using dental appliances. It is referred to as fluorosis (use link for more details). Bourzgui F. Orthodontics - Basic aspects and clinical considerations. White spots that develop on tooth enamel are usually an indication of tooth decay formation. White spot lesions are frequently found near the gum line (areas that have been difficult to keep plaque-free). The formation of white-spot lesions can be especially troublesome for dental patients who wear conventional bracket-and-wire (fixed) braces. If a white spot is unsightly or its surface has lost its integrity (it's soft, rough, pitted or possibly has even developed a hole), some type of repair is indicated. They're caused by enamel demineralization (decalcification), which is the process that causes tooth decay and ultimately cavities. Only an examination by your dentist can lead to a decision that any specific white spot does or does not require treatment. Whiter and Weaker. Cavities are usually caused by some combination of ineffective brushing and flossing, and inappropriate sugar consumption. The white, rough looking surface is a demineralized, weakened spot on the tooth enamel. (Hence the name white spot lesion.). They also, unfortunately, can cause hard to clean spots on the teeth. If so, their use may help to inhibit the formation of white spot lesions. This naked structure is far weaker than healthy enamel. If so, there are some relatively less-invasive remedies that might be attempted. With dental braces, there's an added problematic twist. Before we suggest the best ways to get rid of the hard white stuff on your teeth, it is important to first understand how dental calculus forms on your teeth. White … Gingivitis can cause inflammation to the gum tissues, which can lead to a change in color of the gums. Another term dentists use for white spots is "incipient lesions," meaning areas of decay that are just beginning. Are white spots on the teeth a cause for concern? While some white spot lesions may not require outright repair, their appearance may be objectionable enough that some type of improvement is desired. But what happens when the spots are not brown? Animated-Teeth.com adroll_pix_id = "KT5DV6EU3ZC7NIA6UCEROE"; Parents should be vigilant while teaching small children to brush their teeth. Ignoring what you see or making an uninformed decision on your own can result in significant tooth damage. With proper care, a white spot lesion need not progress to a full cavity and can be successfully brought back to strong and aesthetically pleasing natural teeth. However, the diversity of the types of units available leaves a discussion of them beyond the scope of this page. If not kept plaque-free, white spot lesions will tend to form around orthodontic brackets. The specific technique used might be an in-office or at-home (strips, trays, paint-on) one. (Arruda), Of course, patient compliance is an important factor. What if you suddenly see white spots or white lines near your gums? The relationship between appliance therapy and self-care. / Locations where they occur (near the gum line, around dental braces). In general, white spots or white patches on gums are caused by an overgrowth of tissue are called leukoplakia. Braces, mouth guards, retainers, and whitening trays can all be important tools in gaining and maintaining dental health. Healthy gum tissue is supposed to appear as pink or dark in color depending on melanin amount on the skin. Maintaining a healthy pH in the mouth and ensuring enough salivary flow to protect the tooth should be top priorities for long term management. It occurs when a tooth's surface is exposed to acidic waste products produced by oral bacteria living in dental plaque. Wearing fixed appliances makes it exceedingly difficult for a person to clean their teeth. The patient's teeth that are most affected are typically the upper front ones (15%). Probably not, but it could be. [Studies show that placing braces correlates with an increase in the patient's level of dental plaque accumulation and a higher percentage of the, While the time needed for formation will vary with the local conditions at each specific site, studies suggest that white spot lesions can form in as little as a month. As mentioned above, some types of compounds help to promote the remineralization process and their use can play an important role in tipping the conditions in a person's mouth toward those of repair instead of continued destruction. adroll_current_page = "other"; The importance in differentiating between these two states lies in what treatment options are considered possible and appropriate. Keep in mind that this type of natural repair can only take place if you change the conditions that allowed the white spot to form initially. Talk to your dentist to help evaluate all the sources of fluoride your child encounters and develop an appropriate plan for getting just the right amount. Mild fluorosis appears blotchy, with scattered areas of lacy, white flecks, or chalky spots on the surface of the teeth. While removing the plaque is important to stop the damage from progressing, removing the plaque does not, by itself, cause the teeth to regain lost minerals. The idea is that the restorative infiltrates the porous structure of the lesion, thus creating a smoother (less plaque-retentive) surface and improved esthetics. - Reasons why they form. All rights reserved. Harrell RE. As the demineralization process progresses underneath, the tooth's surface becomes an impromptu "lid" over the lesion (2 to 50 microns in thickness).