WHAT TO EXPECT
Problem spots or patches usually appear due to:
- Diet: Eating acidic foods, like citrus and tomatoes, can break down your tooth enamel, making it appear chalky white. High-sugar diets may also erode enamel.
- Orthodontic treatment: White spots may appear on teeth after orthodontic treatment, as it can be difficult to thoroughly remove plaque between braces brackets. This causes the demineralisation of the tooth, which may cause it to appear rough and chipped, with white or brown patches.
- Fluorosis: while fluoride strengthens teeth and prevents decay, too much fluoride in developing teeth can have the opposite effect, causing discoloration.
- Enamel hypoplasia: Enamel hypoplasia is a defect of the enamel that occurs while teeth are still developing. It can result from a nutritional deficiency that causes mineral loss in the teeth. Conditions like celiac disease, or taking antibiotics, can interfere with nutrient absorption.
- Poor dental hygiene: Not brushing or flossing regularly can cause enamel to break down, which makes it more susceptible to staining.
- Sleeping with your mouth open: Temporary white spots on your teeth can be caused by dehydration of the enamel on the teeth, which happens when you sleep with your mouth open. Once saliva hits the teeth, they will rehydrate, and the white spots will disappear.
Enamel microabrasion is a straightforward process that can be done in our comfortable clinic. It involved isolating the teeth to protect the lips, then applying a slurry of pumice and acid to the teeth. The slurry is rinsed and the teeth evaluated, to determine results, and may be repeated several times to completely remove stains. The teeth are then covered in fluoride gel to reduce sensitivity.
Enamel microabrasion can be used alone or in combination with tooth whitening or bonding.