White spots, mainly on the front teeth, are a source of complexes. In a society that values ​​a smile and whiteness, having spots, even white, is often a nuisance. How to remove unsightly white spots? Science has progressed and new techniques are now able, in some cases, to erase these stains on the teeth.

The white spots mainly come from a mineralization defect. Fluoride overdose is the main cause.

Too much fluoride

Fluoride is a fundamental trace element for healthy teeth. It allows their mineralization and their strength in the face of aggressions such as sweet foods. But the promotion around fluoride, especially for children to prevent cavities, has created an excess. Today, some pay the consequences despite themselves through what is called the fluorose.

Thus, too much fluoride ingestion, through supplements and, to a lesser extent, through food, leads to the appearance of white spots. And this, as well in children as in adults.

Today, dentists only prescribe fluoride if children run out of it after a checkup and family questions. In other words, if it uses fluoridated salt in cooking, or a toothpaste enriched with fluoride. In this case, it is usually unnecessary to give supplements to the child.

Other possible causes

Poor brushing, which leads to the formation of dental plaque, can also cause white spots on the bottom of the teeth.

Teeth whitening or lightening at the dentist can also cause white spots during treatment. But they will gradually disappear.

Stereotypes

The white spots on the teeth are by no means due to a lack of calcium. The same misconception is widespread about nails. In either case, calcium has nothing to do with it.

It is possible to polish your teeth with baking soda, as long as you limit its use to once a week as much as possible. This surface polishing will better reflect the light and thus give the ephemeral impression that your teeth are not stained.

But there are no permanent white spot tips you can do at home. Only medical treatment at your dentist can achieve this.

For barely visible stains, bleaching

Having your white spots treated at the dentist is now nothing exceptional. If your stains are shallow, you will be able to find flawless teeth quickly.

Depending on the intensity of the stains, the dentist may in particular decide to practice teeth whitening. This will have the effect of blending the spots into the overall coloring.

But bleaching is impossible in children. In fact, enamel does not mature until the end of adolescence, around 16 or 18 years old. The dentist cannot therefore opt for whitening which would damage it.

The installation of veneers

If this is not possible or if the spots are too numerous, he may suggest the installation of veneers in order to find your smile. This is a method that can nevertheless damage the enamel.

In addition, the cheapest veneers, made of resin, only last 2 to 5 years. As for ceramic veneers, which are much stronger, they can withstand up to 20 years but represent a very significant cost. Neither of the two possibilities is reimbursed.

New simple and effective methods.

But in recent years, another method has appeared and is feasible in children from 7 or 8 years old and in adults: resin injection. This allows the tooth to be restored to its full color. To do this, the dentist makes the surface of the teeth porous using a product, but in a superficial way, invisible to the naked eye and without danger for the enamel. Then he injects the resin so that it fills the demineralized areas at the origin of the stains.

There is also another method, a composite that the dentist applies to the teeth and which allows stains to be masked.

But alas, these two methods will not be very effective if the stains are very deep.