How do I prevent white spots on my teeth?

One is the most common issues patients face after removing their braces are white spot formation in certain areas on the teeth.

Most patient think that the braces are the cause of those white spots appearing, however they are the result of plaque buildup due to poor oral hygiene habits during orthodontic treatment.

The white spots are the beginning stage of dental caries (Dental Cavities) that have not yet broken through the outer layer (enamel). Even without braces these dental decalcifications or white spots generally affect 24% of teenagers. Furthermore, if you have braces, it goes up to 50% according to a recent study in research journal.

1. Oral Hygiene Control
   1. Brushing tooth surfaces at least twice a day with Fluoride-containing toothpaste, especially around the brackets.
   2. Re-care appointments DURING orthodontic treatment.
   3. Use of Electric toothbrushes and water flossers.
2. Fluoride Products.
   1. Fluoride ions prevents dental caries, and it decreases demineralization and promotes remineralization in the early stages, especially at low concentrations.
      1. Fluorinated Toothpastes.
      2. Fluoridated Mouthwastes containing sodium fluoride.
         • Chlorhexidine, triclosan or Zinc have anti-bacterial effects.
      3. Fluoride Varnishes
         • • Application 2-4 times yearly have proved effective in decreasing the incidence of caries in both primary and permanent teeth.

1. Improving your oral hygiene habits is key.
2. Visit your dentist every 6 months for a re-care appointment, and the application of topical fluoride.
3. Remineralization
   1. These products contain fluorides and/or casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate.
4. Whitening procedures (Teeth Bleaching) may improve the white lesions however the white lesions may also be whitened.
   1. Recent studies showed that bleaching incipient enamel caries with 10% cabamide perioxide could camouflage white spot lesions with no effect on chemical and mechanical properties of enamel.

Also See, Teeth Whitening Procedure

5. Caries Infiltration is the first choice for the elimination of white spot lesions. This new technique is utilized at Al Bahri Dental and Orthodontic Center, it’s a minimally invasive procedure where we infiltrate the white spots with low viscosity resin.

Also see, What are those white spots I see after braces?

References

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426141/pdf/CCD-8-11.pdf
2. Davidson CL, Bekke‑Hoekstra IS. The resistance of superficially sealed enamel to wear and carious attack in vitro. J Oral Rehabil 1980;7:299‑305.

Written by:

Dr. Rami Albahri DDS, MMSc.

 Prosthodontics and Implant Surgeon.

Harvard & NYU Educated.

Medical Director.

For consultations contact us

Abu Dhabi – +971 2 575 1856

Al Ain – +971 3 7643273

Email: info@albahridental.com