What Causes White Spots on Baby Teeth?

Parents are always concerned about their child’s well-being, so you do everything possible to ensure your child is happy. You want to ensure they are healthy, give them good food, and monitor their physical and mental status. Seeing those transitioning tiny white spots on your child’s teeth might have you worried. Let’s know more about this.

Understanding White Spots

It is a common indication of tooth enamel decalcification or demineralization in babies or children, leading to white and soft deposits on their baby teeth. These white spots seen on the enamel can occur after certain factors cause the outer protective layer of teeth, the enamel, to become susceptible. It is essential to find out the cause of the problems so they can be addressed to avoid further deterioration.

Signs and Causes of the White Spots on Infants’ Teeth

This is probably where you are wondering who the perpetrator is that caused those little dots on your teeth to appear. Let’s answer this quickly! A few reasons that can cause white spots on a child’s teeth are as follows:

1- Tooth Decay

Cavities are as bad as nightmares since they harm the child’s oral health in some way or another. But you can manage it if you are aware of early symptoms of tooth decay. Tooth decay in children may be indicated by the appearance of the white initial line along the gum area of the teeth.

In the initial stages of dental decay, the tooth loses some of its minerals as the enamel (outer layer) is attacked. When tooth decay begins, the tooth looks dull and chalky or feels dry, similar to a small spot on a larger surface. But if it is left untreated, the spots may become even darker, and the damaged affected area might spread.

2- Too Much Fluoride

Fluoride sources are fluoride-containing toothpaste, fluoridated water, and fluoride foods. We require fluoride for effective oral health since it wards off cavities. But do you know that there are some tartar components accompanied by fluoride that can harm the baby’s teeth and lead to white spot lesions?

This could happen when your child did not rinse the toothpaste after brushing their teeth. It’s called dental fluorosis, whereby teeth enamel gets to change its color through over-exposure to minerals.

3- Low Calcium Diet

The other cause of white spots on the teeth is poor calcium intake in your diet plan. Calcium is essential in the body and significantly strengthens our bones and teeth. However, if not enough, calcium-rich foods can degenerate our teeth’ enamel, thus enabling white spots to develop.

4- A Thin Enamel

Enamel is the body’s most complex tissue and is considered the body armor of the teeth as it serves as an outer cover. But if the enamel is not there? People will not be saved from getting their teeth chipped.

In some people, it is genetically not present from birth. It is because their teeth enamel is not well developed to shield their teeth against other forces outside the mouth. They are called enamel hypoplasia, and we name this condition after the partial or complete absence of enamel, which makes up the outer covering of your teeth. It may cause white spots on the teeth in babies. It also results in early tooth decay and even conditions such as increased teeth sensitivity.

5- Demineralization or Decalcification

Several factors may cause white spots on teeth. One popular reason is decalcification. This condition results from the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth over time, consequently causing enamel deterioration. If left untreated, cavities can manifest as white or brown spots, which happens when enamel weakens. To check these areas, a Huffman Pediatric Dentist, TX should occasionally check your child.

However, when there is no decay, demineralizing enamel is usually monitored carefully in most cases. Teaching your child to brush his or her teeth at least twice daily and clean the teeth every morning and night will help eliminate dangerous bacteria.

However, if a cavity occurs in the discolored area, dental restoration must be done to shield the tooth from further decay.

6- Enamel Hypoplasia

There can be other causes for white or brown spots on your child’s teeth, such as enamel hypoplasia. This condition results when the enamel fails to form properly and may appear thin or patchy.

There are causes of enamel hypoplasia, such as improper diet during Early childhood development, severe fevers, injury of the teeth, smoking during pregnancy, and premature birth. Children with enamel hypopias are prone to caries in the hypoplastic areas, where preventive measures and evaluations should be implemented.

Enamel hypoplasia is a relatively harmless condition, and no treatment is necessary if the child is not bothered by the spots’ appearance. Some cosmetic procedures include tooth whitening, micro-abrasion, removing a skinny layer of discolored enamel, or even veneers.

How to Treat White Spots?

1- Fluoride Application

If your white teeth spots are not due to fluorosis, the dentist may sometimes paint fluoride on the surface of your teeth. This will reduce tooth demineralization and considerably lessen the effects on the enamel.

2- Microabrasion

Microabrasion is a good solution for any tooth discoloration that you have. It just flattens the enamel surface to eliminate the issue of the variation in the coloration of the teeth.

3- Teeth Whitening

The microabrasion procedure often follows the procedure. You need to use different teeth-whitening products, including creams or gels. Tooth whitening will help you achieve a better color blend.

4- Composite Resin

Composite resin is another option for avoiding the negative effects of white tooth spots in children. These resins assist in rebuilding enamel structures and mitigate the visibility of spots on the tooth. Composite resins are preferred in cases where spots have arisen from enamel hypoplasia.

Ways to Avoid the Development of White Spots on Teeth

Here are the measures to avoid white spots on babies’ teeth.

• To clean teeth properly, the child should practice brushing (twice a day) and flossing as soon as their teeth are spaced correctly.
• Reduce their food intake frequency, which may make them contract oral cavity diseases like mouth decay.
• They need to consume foods that are rich in calcium.
• Ensure you use the toothpaste in a smaller amount and rinse your baby’s mouth after brushing.
• Avoid using water with fluoride when preparing formula milk and as a drink for the baby.
• By monitoring mineral levels in tap water, one should be able to follow the content of fluoride they take in their daily lives.
• Get their teeth checked frequently.

Conclusion

The appearance of white spots on little ones’ teeth indicates that you should seek professional help because early intervention will help eliminate further severity of dental diseases.

When you bring your child to Huffman Dental, you can be sure they are in very safe hands. Tooth decay is part of a child’s experience, and we provide great oral care in a warm environment. Contact Huffman Pediatric Dentist to schedule your child’s next appointment.