White spot lesions

Before teeth develop cavities, they show the initiated some telltale signs that things are about to go wrong. These are white splotches on the tooth surface, especially occurring on tooth surfaces that are used while biting or chewing and are coming into contact with foods on a regular basis. They can often be seen after orthodontic treatment is finished and the braces come off, and many times the wall of the tooth becomes brittle and raised, and whiter than usual. The wall may also appear thinner. These white spots are white spot lesions, or demineralized zones. They are pre-cavities, if you will, and they show you that something is going wrong with that particular area.

Demineralized zones

These spots are demineralized zones. This means that the fluoride and calcium is being leached from the enamel, and the enamel is thus disintegrating, and this disintegration is what you see when you see demineralized zones. The white spots cave in and the bacteria can then infect the insides of your tooth.

These demineralized zones are caused by interaction with bacteria. When bacteria that live in your mouth come across carbohydrates, they proliferate and make biofilm, which helps them stick to stuff, and the biofilm hardens into plaque. The bacteria live in this plaque and they excrete. Their excretions are acidic, and the acid content is what demineralizes the fluoride and the calcium from your teeth. Spots where bacteria often excrete on become demineralized zones, and they are usually covered by or located near plaque.

Solutions for white spots

If you see these white spots, do not panic, as there is nothing wrong yet. Calmly book an appointment to your dentist, and see if they cannot help you get rid of these problems. Usually, they can, and will prevent the cavity from forming. You don’t have to worry about keeping the white spot either, the splotch can be remineralized, and afterwards will look just like it did. Usually the doctor will put a tiny bit of fluoride gel or foam on the demineralized zones, or if the demineralization is quite extensive, you may need to repeatedly do it for yíourself at home. The gel or foam contains célacium and fluoride, and will recoat the area. Meanwhile, a hygiene session will get rid of the nasty bacteria that are leaching the precious minerals from your teeth.

Prevention of white spots

The focus here is on prevention. If you go to a half year check up regularly, or twice a year, you will probably not experience these problems, as they will be spotted and dealt with promptly at the half year check up. If you do see them develop, go and have a session with your dentist. It could mean that your bite needs to be corrected, and the demineralization can also be due to wear. Ask them what they think is causing it, and what can be done to prevent it from continuing.

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