If you’ve noticed white spots on your teeth, you’re not the only one! As a matter of fact, it’s very common for people of all ages to have white spots on their teeth. There could be a variety of reasons for this, including the following:
- Dental fluorosis – This condition occurs when your teeth are exposed to too much fluoride, and is a common reason for white spots on children’s teeth. Although fluoride definitely helps to prevent cavities, too much of it can cause other problems. If your child’s drinking water contains fluoride, and he or she is getting fluoride from a variety of other sources – toothpastes and mouthwashes, for example – your child might be getting too much fluoride. Talk to your dentist about how much fluoride is appropriate, then take steps to reduce the amount your child is exposed to, if necessary.
- Poor nutrition – If you’re not getting enough calcium and other important minerals and nutrients, the enamel on your teeth can suffer the consequences. And this often shows up as white spots on your teeth.
- Celiac disease – Even if you have a balanced diet, if you have a condition like celiac disease – which prevents the body from absorbing nutrients in food – you could still suffer from nutritional deficiencies, and that can lead to white spots on your teeth.
- Bacteria – If you have poor oral hygiene, bacteria will begin to grown on your teeth. That bacteria will demineralize your tooth surface, which leads to white spots and, eventually, cavities.
- A high fever – Especially prevalent in children are white spots on teeth that come as a result of running a high fever, specifically due to a loss of minerals on the tooth surface. Even if your child is quite ill, make sure he or she continues to brush their teeth to reduce bacteria and prevent white spots from forming.
- Medication – A variety of medicines have been linked to white spots on teeth. If you are taking any form of medication and notice white spots, talk to your dentist to find out the best way to treat them.
Whatever the cause may be, if you have white spots on your teeth, your dentist can help you to identify the reason and recommend the best way to remove them. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of having your teeth professionally cleaned and polished, then following up by avoiding the cause of the spotting if possible, and always practicing a good daily oral hygiene routine at home.
