Healthy, white teeth are the base of a beautiful smile. Unfortunately, enamel can sometimes get affected by numerous factors, resulting in the development of unsightly marks on your teeth that may rob you of your beautiful smile. If you have white spots on your teeth, don't panic. Read on to learn what could be causing this issue and possible solutions to restore your smile. 

Dehydration

Calcium deposits can sometimes accumulate on your teeth when you are dehydrated, forming chalky marks on tooth enamel. These marks should be no cause of alarm, as they often disappear when saliva levels in your mouth get back to normal.

You may often notice these marks after running hard with your mouth wide open or after sleeping overnight with your mouth agape. To rehydrate your teeth, take a few glasses of water and avoid alcohol and fizzy drinks. 

Fluorosis

Fluoride is essential for cleaning teeth and preventing tooth decay, which is why dentists usually recommend that you brush using fluoride toothpaste. However, overexposure to this mineral, either from ingesting too much fluoridated water, swallowing or using excessive toothpaste can discolor the teeth and form white spots. If left unchecked, these spots can progress to mottling of the teeth and even lead to tooth decay. 

Fluorosis often affects teeth in their formative stage, so you can prevent it in your children by limiting the amount of fluoridated water they drink. You should also ensure they don't use excessive amounts of toothpaste and steer clear of fluoride mouth rinses. Finally, be sure to limit their intake of sodas, formula and other foods that could contain too much fluoride.

If your child already has a large number of visible white spots on their teeth, talk to your dentist about improving their tooth aesthetics by trying bleach-based whitening or the use of porcelain veneers to mask the discoloration. 

Loss of minerals

The buildup of plaque on tooth enamel usually allows for bacteria to release too much acid into tooth enamel, leading to mineral loss and the formation of white spots. This essentially results from poor dental hygiene, where inadequate brushing allows for too much plaque to form on your teeth. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to avoid this problem in the future.

You may also talk to your dentist about using prescription pastes to strengthen your teeth and prevent further discoloration and possible tooth decay. Brace wearers often suffer from tooth mineral loss, where the metal braces deny full access to certain areas of the teeth, leading to plaque buildup. Such spots can usually be covered up using porcelain veneers or composite bonding after the braces are removed.

For more information, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area.