White teeth are desired. But when small white spots form on your teeth, they can detract from your smile’s appearance and possibly even be a cause for concern. Below, we explore what causes white spots to appear on teeth, how these spots can be treated at home, and what professional white spot removal often involves.
What Causes White Spots on Teeth?
Before discussing what white spot treatment involves, it may be helpful to explain what causes these spots to form on teeth in the first place. White spots (sometimes referred to as “white spot lesions”) have numerous potential causes, including:
- Plaque buildup on the teeth due to poor dental hygiene or having braces
- Consuming foods and beverages that are highly acidic and/or sugary
- Consuming too much fluoride
- Having dry mouth
- Sleeping with your mouth open
- Having enamel hypoplasia (decalcified enamel)
At-Home White Spot Treatment Techniques
In some cases, people are able to treat their white spots at home. Be sure to consult with a dentist before attempting any of the following at-home remedies, but with that said, you may want to consider:
- Swishing two tablespoons of coconut oil around your mouth for at least 10 minutes, then spitting it out and rinsing (this is known as “oil pulling”)
- Brushing your teeth twice a day with remineralizing toothpaste and flossing once a day
What Does Professional White Spot Removal Involve?
Unfortunately, the at-home white spot removal methods described above aren’t always effective, in which case professional treatment becomes necessary. When you visit us for white spot treatment, we’ll recommend the approach that’s best suited to your needs. For example, we may suggest using Icon Smooth Surface, a minimally invasive treatment that helps remove white spots from teeth by filling and reinforcing demineralized enamel. After cleaning your teeth and applying a conditioner, we can apply a resin and cure it using a special light.
If we recommend Icon, you’ll be glad to know that this white spot treatment usually doesn’t require drilling or anesthesia or require unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure. As such, you won’t need to worry about any changes to the shape of your teeth.
White Spot Removal Services Near You
If you’ve noticed white spots forming on your teeth and at-home remedies haven’t produced the desired results, you’ll need the help of our expertise. Fortunately, if you’re in Orinda, California, or the surrounding area, you can entrust your care to Virginia H. Ellis, DDS Dental Corp. Dr. Ellis has extensive experience using Icon Smooth Surface to treat white spots on teeth, and we’ll be happy to let you know whether you’re a candidate for this treatment approach. Contact us today to schedule a white spot removal consultation at a date and time that’s convenient for you.