Causes of white spots on teeth
White spots usually develop on your teeth because of more than one cause. Your dentist can explain specific causes, and then determine the best way to treat your condition. Common causes include:
1. Diet
Eating too many acidic foods can cause white spots on your teeth. This is because highly acidic foods eat away at your tooth enamel. This outer layer protects your teeth from damage.
A diet high in sugar also causes the formation of acidic plaque, which can erode enamel. Acidic foods and drinks include sodas and certain fruits, such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruit.
Acid reflux is another trigger because it produces acid in the stomach, throat, and mouth. As your tooth enamel breaks down, you may experience other symptoms like sensitivity to cold or hot foods and drinks.
2. Fluorosis
Fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents decay, but too much fluoride in developing teeth can have the opposite effect, causing
decay and discoloration. This can happen when children consume too many fluoridated beverages or swallow fluoride toothpaste. Fluorosis also causes pitted enamel, which makes it harder to brush and clean teeth.
3. Enamel hypoplasia
This defect refers to having less enamel than normal. Enamel hypoplasia can result from a nutritional deficiency that causes mineral loss in the tooth. Culprits include conditions like
celiac disease, where the body has difficulty absorbing nutrients because of a weakened immune system.
Taking antibiotics to treat a fever can also interfere with nutrient absorption. Additionally, smoking while pregnant may cause this condition in children. Other symptoms of enamel hypoplasia include having grooves or lines in the teeth and tooth sensitivity.
4. Plaque accumulation
White spots on the teeth can also form due to an accumulation of bacteria plaque. This is the result of poor dental hygiene, such as not brushing or flossing on a regular basis. It can also occur as a side effect of wearing braces.
These spots, which may appear on the teeth after removing braces, are caused by a buildup of plaque deposits underneath or around the actual location of brackets. Insufficient oral hygiene or an inability to thoroughly remove plaque between brackets cause this demineralization of the tooth. The tooth may appear rough and chipped.
5. Sleeping with your mouth open
You may notice white spots on your teeth when you wake up in the morning that go away after a few hours. This is often caused by sleeping with your mouth open all night. These white spots are caused by dehydration of the enamel surface of your teeth. Once saliva hits the teeth they will rehydrate and the white spots will disappear.
Being sick with a cold can make your more likely to sleep with your mouth open.
https://www.healthline.com/health/dental-and-oral-health/white-spots-on-teeth#causes