We all want nice white teeth, but what if your teeth aren’t just white: what if you have white, splotchy patches on them instead? You may be upset because you feel like these spots are ruining your smile, but are they something you should see your dentist about?

What Are Those White Spots?

“White lesions” are the technical term for those spots, and, yes, you should see your dentist about them! They can be a sign that your teeth are lacking enamel – that outermost layer that helps to protect the inner layers. There can be a few different reasons why you have white lesions:

• A buildup of plaque. If your oral hygiene routine isn’t as good as it should be, plaque can buildup on teeth and cause white spots (just one more reason to make sure you brush and floss thoroughly every day!). These white spots are an early sign of cavities forming.
• Poor diet. If you eat a diet full of too many sugary or acidic foods, it can wear down your tooth enamel. If you suffer from acid reflux, the acid can also eat away at tooth enamel and cause damage.
• Fluorosis. We need fluoride for healthy teeth – especially when we are younger and our permanent teeth are coming in. However, if a child gets too much fluoride during those crucial years, it can actually lead to a weakening of the enamel, which results in tooth discoloration and white lesions. Children can get too much fluoride by drinking too many fluoridated beverages or by swallowing toothpaste with fluoride in it.
• Enamel hypoplasia. This is when a person has a very thin enamel on the teeth, or maybe the enamel is missing altogether. It can be the result of a mom smoking when she was pregnant, a mineral loss because of a nutritional deficiency, or certain medications.

If you have white spots on your teeth, if your teeth are causing you pain or discomfort, or if you are just due for a cleaning, make an appointment at Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center! Call the office in East Norriton, PA, at (610) 272-6949 today!