You check your teeth one day in the mirror, and you notice some strange white spots on some of them. Even after cleansing your mouth or brushing your teeth, the spots still linger.

What are these spots? And could professional teeth whitening get rid of them for good? 

Let’s discuss:
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Why Are There White Spots on Your Teeth?

White spots are not as uncommon as you’d think. They can be the result of:

  • Wearing braces: The brackets that bond to your teeth and support the wires can sometimes leave white spots;
  • Demineralization: The white spot may be a sign of a cavity forming. In its early stages, cavities cause demineralization, which can be successfully reversed.
  • Fluorosis: If your daily fluoride intake is too high, it can create white spots on your teeth. Usually, fluorosis doesn’t happen just from the fluoride in regular toothpaste. But if you also drink a lot of tap water or take additional fluoride drops, it could lead to this condition.
  • Enamel defects: Patients with enamel defects have likely had these white patches on their teeth for as long as they had their permanent teeth.
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Can Tooth Whitening Fix White Spots on Teeth?

Unfortunately, these white spots won’t respond even to professional teeth whitening treatments. In fact, if you whiten your teeth, it can make the spots pop out even more!

Teeth whitening uses special bleaching agents such as peroxide to break down the molecules on the surface of the teeth that can make up stains and create aesthetic issues. But the white patches aren’t stains and don’t lie on the surface of the teeth, so there is nothing to break down.
 

How Are White Spots Removed?

Though teeth whitening is infective, you have other options to fix your smile’s appearance:
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1. Dental bonding 

It’s a mild and non-invasive cosmetic dental procedure that can cover your white spots and achieve an even smile.

Dental bonding is completely reversible and can last for 7–10 years with the right care. It’s a great option if you only have 1-2 teeth with these white patches.
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2. Veneers

Veneers are thin shells that go over the front of your teeth to improve their appearance. They are effective at covering white spots and are ideal if you also have other cosmetic imperfections, such as gaps between teeth or irregularly-sized teeth.

But veneers are an irreversible procedure, so they do require a lifelong commitment. With the right care, your first set of veneers can last 15 years or longer before they need replacing.

 

How Tuttle Family Dentistry Can Help

Do you have white spots on your teeth or other cosmetic imperfections? Stop by Tuttle Family Dentistry to learn how you can safely get an even and picture-perfect smile.

Request a visit to our practice online or call us at (719) 282-6636 for more information about our cosmetic dental services.