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When you undergo orthodontic treatment, your teeth may have white spots after the braces are removed. These white spots are areas of decalcification, which happened because bacterial acids have dissolved the enamel during the treatment. Usually, when this problem occurs during the treatment, your dentist can inform and advise you to brush your teeth better.
Why do white spots appear on your teeth?
Bacteria feed on the sugar in your mouth and release acid that is capable of breaking down essential tissues of the teeth. As a result, your teeth lose their shine, and the texture becomes chalky and rough. When the white spot becomes deep enough, they can lead to cavity and tooth decay.
What can you do to avoid white spots?
Tooth decay is normal when you undergo orthodontic treatment because it’s difficult to brush effectively. So, you need to extra effort in brushing to ensure that all food debris is removed and will not build up around the orthodontic brackets. Braces are worn for at least two years, so you must take care of your teeth to avoid damages, such as white spots.
How can you get rid of the white spots?
There are several treatment options to remove the white spots, depending on their severity. It could be one or a combination of the following:
1. Remineralization
When the damage is not severe, your dentist can apply a mineral-rich solution on the affected area. Remineralization can help minimize the damage, restore some of the lost minerals, and strengthen the area.
2. Teeth whitening
Teeth whitening or bleaching can help reduce the appearance of the white spots. There are whitening procedures and over-the-counter products that can lighten the color of your teeth for the white spots to become less noticeable. However, this is a temporary solution only, as you need to repeat the procedure from time to time.
3. Enamel microabrasion
When the damage is only minimal, your dentist can scrape the white spot using a rock or acid mixture until the underlying enamel is exposed. This depends on how deep the decalcification is, and it is often followed by bleaching to make the color look uniform.
4. Fillings
The dentist can also scoop out the white spot and replace it with white fillings materials that have a similar color to your teeth. This is effective when the decalcification is too deep.
5. Dental veneers
When all else fails, dental veneers are an effective way to conceal the white spots and other blemishes. These are thin porcelain coverings that are attached to the surface of your teeth.
Taking care of your teeth properly, especially when undergoing orthodontic treatment, is incredibly important. Remember that prevention is always better than cure, and decalcification can be avoided when you brush your teeth more effectively.
