White Spots on Teeth: Why Do They Appear? They May Be Early Cavities.

Hello,

I’m Lee Juri, the chief director of Seoul Bardi Dental Clinic.

On the day you finally took off your braces after enduring a long orthodontic treatment period,

you look in the mirror and something seems odd.

You notice white spots scattered here and there on your teeth.

In fact, many people are surprised after orthodontic treatment by the “white marks” that appear on their teeth.

Today, let’s talk about why these white spots appear and how to prevent them.

White spots on teeth: why do they appear? They may be early cavities. What are the white spots?

“Why did this happen?”

“Were the white spots already there?”

“Did they appear during orthodontic treatment?”

These are common questions.

White spots on teeth are mostly caused by demineralization.

This means that the enamel on the tooth surface has weakened and minerals have been lost.

It can be thought of as a kind of “early cavity” stage.

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Unlike clear aligners, when brackets are bonded to the teeth, it becomes difficult to clean every corner of the tooth surface.

At this time, if care is not sufficient, plaque builds up easily and the environment becomes favorable for bacteria to grow.

As the outermost layer of the tooth, the enamel gradually demineralizes, and white spots appear on the teeth.

When the appliance is attached, they are not easy to see, but after the orthodontic appliance is removed, you may notice the white spots.

Since there is almost no pain, many people are surprised.

240401 General cavity

Then is it a cavity??

When we think of cavities, we often imagine black discoloration.

But should white spots on teeth also be considered cavities?

To be exact, they are a stage before a cavity develops.

Source: NORMAN TINANOFF, DDS, MS.

The tooth surface has not yet developed a hole or decayed, but it is a sign that internal damage has already begun.

That is because demineralization means that minerals have been lost.

If proper care is provided at this stage, it may be possible to restore the tooth to its original condition,

but if left untreated, the white spots can turn into real cavities.

Molars are not very noticeable,

but upper front teeth are in a visible area, so they can also cause aesthetic stress.

They can make the teeth look rough as well.

Unfortunately, once white spots appear, they do not go away naturally.

They will not disappear even if you brush.

Because minerals have been lost, if you receive treatment that helps strengthen the teeth again,

the white spots on the teeth may become lighter or smaller.

Fluoride is often applied.

Fluoride

It has the effect of penetrating the tooth and strengthening it.

If it is diagnosed as a cavity, cavity treatment such as resin is needed, and in some cases the tooth surface is lightly reshaped.

The most important thing is to prevent white spots from forming in the first place.

White spots are a problem that can be avoided simply by brushing well.

Brushing after every meal is basic; please also use interdental brushes together.

If you neglect care during orthodontic treatment,

...you may still need to visit the dental clinic after the braces are removed.

Teeth are valuable assets that we must use for life.

Whether you are in orthodontic treatment or have already finished it, never forget that the most important thing is your brushing habit!

I hope this answered your questions.

Thank you.

#WhiteSpotsOnTeeth #WhiteSpots #EarlyCavities