White spots on teeth are caused by the loss of minerals from the surface enamel. This process is called dyscalcification, and white spots are enamel hypoplasia. Their appearance indicates damage to tooth enamel and is the first sign of tooth decay or cavities forming. There are many treatments, but preventing the formation of white spots is equally important.
Home Care Methods
Make your own remineralizing toothpaste. Adding calcium to your teeth may help strengthen them. You can make your own remineralizing toothpaste rich in calcium and other essential elements to remove white spots and other signs of damage from your teeth. Ingredients such as baking soda also have a frictional effect, which can wear away white spots and restore the acid-base balance of the mouth. Follow these steps to make your own remineralizing toothpaste:
- Mix 5 tablespoons (about 75 ml) of calcium powder, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of baking soda, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of food-grade diatomaceous earth in a small bowl. You can also add 3 tablespoons (about 45 ml) of xylitol to prevent the toothpaste from being too bitter.
- Add enough coconut oil and mix these powders into a paste. Generally, use about 3 to 5 tablespoons (about 45 to 75 ml) of coconut oil.
- You can also add a drop or two of edible essential oils to suit your taste. Popular choices include mint, lemon, and cinnamon.
- Put the toothpaste in an airtight jar and use it to brush your teeth two to three times a day.
Homemade remineralizing tooth powder. If you prefer toothpaste to toothpaste, you can also make your own remineralized tooth powder using bentonite clay. It can help remove heavy metals and toxins from the teeth and mouth and restore the acid-base balance of the mouth. Bentonite clay is rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and silica, which can help remove white spots from teeth. Make your own remineralizing tooth powder according to the following method:
- Combine 4 tablespoons (60 ml) bentonite clay, 3 tablespoons (about 45 ml) calcium powder, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) cinnamon powder, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) clove powder, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) xylitol powder, 1 tbsp (15 ml) baking soda in a small bowl and mix well.
- You can also add 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of mint leaf powder, or a few drops of edible essential oils such as peppermint and cinnamon to improve the taste of the tooth powder.
- Store toothpowder in a sealed jar and brush it with your fingers or a toothbrush two to three times a day.
Rinse your mouth with green tea several times a day. Some homeopathic medicines contain green tea, a natural ingredient. It removes white spots on teeth. Green tea is rich in minerals and vitamins and may help remineralize teeth. It also has antibacterial catechins that prevent plaque buildup. In addition, green tea also contains natural fluorine. Here’s how to use green tea:
- Soak a tea bag containing green tea leaves in 1 to 2 cups (0.2 to 0.5 liters) of warm water for five minutes before removing the bag.
- Wait for the tea to cool slightly and bring it down to a temperature you can tolerate, making sure it’s not too hot. Afterward, take a large mouthful of tea and rinse your mouth for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Repeat until all tea is used.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times a day.
- Remember, drinking too much green tea can turn your teeth gray, so don’t drink too much.
Try oil pulling for detoxification (oil pulling). This ancient remedy uses essential oils to remove toxins and bacteria from the mouth. Oil pulling can also whiten teeth, prevent dry mouth, and restore mineral content to teeth. Regular oil pulling and detoxification may remove white spots on your teeth and strengthen your teeth and gums. It’s best to do it as soon as you get up in the morning. You can also do it again at night if you want faster results.
- Put about 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of organic coconut or sesame oil in your mouth.
- When you first start, you can rinse your entire mouth for about 1 to 2 minutes. After you get used to oil pulling for detoxification, you might as well gradually increase it to 20 minutes.
- After rinsing your mouth for the prescribed time, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Brush your teeth afterwards with remineralizing toothpaste or tooth powder.
- Remember, oil pulling is not a replacement for brushing your teeth. You can perform an oil pulling detox before or after brushing your teeth.
Apply lemon juice to your teeth. Certain ingredients in over-the-counter products can damage teeth and create more white spots. These products contain bleaching agents and other chemicals that coat tooth enamel, causing them to discolor and become more brittle in the process. The formation of white spots means that the enamel is already very fragile. Using these products to remove white spots will cause more damage and be counterproductive.
- Dip a cotton swab in some freshly squeezed lemon juice and apply it to your teeth. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that safely and naturally whitens teeth and makes white spots less noticeable. However, if you experience pain or tooth sensitivity, stop using this method.
- The process is time-consuming, but the results are great.
Seek Medical Treatment
Get a professional teeth whitening treatment. Your dentist can check for white spots on your teeth and determine whether whitening is useful and safe for you based on the current condition of your enamel. After whitening, your dentist can also perform fluoridation and other enamel treatments to repair enamel and strengthen your teeth.
Ask your dentist about pneumatic polishing. Dentists also commonly use this method to remove white spots on teeth. They use something with friction to gently rub away the white spots, usually baking soda. This method is best for removing small white spots, as excessive friction on the teeth can remove thin enamel.
- During this procedure, the dentist uses a special tool to blow the grains directly toward the calcium deposits. These small, frictional particles gently grind away calcium deposits. Afterward, the dentist covers the calcium deposits with fillings, repairs the white spots, and seals the enamel.
Consider chemical microabrasion. Like pneumatic polishing, the purpose of chemical microblading is to gently remove the calcium deposits that cause tooth discoloration, thereby eliminating white spots. This method is only suitable for removing small to medium-sized white spots, because rubbing large areas of the teeth with chemicals will only make them more damaged.
- During the treatment, the dentist will use a special acid to remove calcium deposits from the teeth. Apply acid only to white spots to avoid aggravating enamel damage. He will then use a dental drill to remove the white spots and seal the enamel to prevent further damage to it.
Undergo resin infiltration treatment. During this treatment, the dentist uses a special resin gel to open the pores in the white spots. After the resin has soaked in and treated all degrees of tooth discoloration, your dentist will use a special light to cure the resin. After about 15 to 20 minutes, the white spots should fuse with the remaining enamel. This treatment also prevents enamel-eroding acids from penetrating the teeth, which can lead to more tooth decay and enamel cracks in the future.
Undergo local remineralization treatment. These remineralizing treatments are similar to the home remedies mentioned above, but use prescription-grade products. This treatment uses prescription-grade toothpaste and chewing gum that contain high amounts of minerals to treat the micropores that cause white spots, and works faster than home remedies.
- These products contain high amounts of fluoride, which helps treat white spots and also prevents cavities and white spots from recurring in the future.
- Such products include casein phosphopeptides and amorphous calcium sulfate powder, chewing gum and toothpaste.
Prevent the Formation of White Spots
Maintain good oral hygiene habits. In addition to being an early sign of tooth enamel damage and tooth decay, the appearance of white spots may also be caused by dental fluorosis in children. As long as you brush and floss your teeth frequently, you can prevent the formation of white spots. By improving your oral hygiene habits, your teeth will be less prone to white spots. Follow these tips to develop good oral hygiene habits:
- Brush your teeth after waking up in the morning, after eating, and before going to bed.
- Check the fluoride content of your toothpaste. You need adequate fluoride to reduce acidity in your mouth and restore the acid-base balance. However, consuming too much fluoride can also be harmful. Unless otherwise directed by your dentist, try to use products with a fluoride concentration of 1,000 to 1,500 ppm.
- Floss your teeth every night. If you’re not comfortable flossing, you can use a floss holder.
- Visit the dentist every 6 months. While most problems can be prevented by taking good care of your teeth at home, your dentist can diagnose plaque buildup and related problems early.
Avoid foods and drinks that can damage your teeth. Certain foods can damage tooth enamel, causing the mouth to become sour and dry, encouraging bacterial growth. This damages tooth enamel, allowing harmful bacteria to penetrate the pores on the teeth and absorb nutrients and minerals from the teeth, causing white spots. The following methods can help you reduce your intake of these foods and drinks:
- Avoid sugary drinks, especially carbonated drinks such as soda. Be wary of candies and products containing artificial sweeteners.
- To sweeten your food, use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and only use a small amount.
- After eating something high in sugar or carbohydrates, be sure to rinse your mouth with water immediately and brush your teeth again after about 30 minutes.
Eat mineral-rich foods to promote remineralization of teeth. In addition to promoting tooth remineralization through home remedies and professional treatments, eating foods rich in tooth-building minerals is also a good way to prevent the formation of white spots.
- Eat foods rich in vitamin D and calcium, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. The teeth and body absorb these nutrients, become stronger, and prevent white spots from forming.
- Also, eat foods rich in magnesium, such as dark leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish, soybeans, and avocados. Magnesium helps the body absorb and retain more calcium.
Keeping your body hydrated and in optimal condition can also help prevent white spots. When the mouth is dry, there is less saliva in the mouth and the acid-base balance is imbalanced, which can lead to the growth of bacteria and acid erosion of the teeth.
- Drink at least 2000ml of water every day. Don’t drink juice, soda, or other drinks to stay hydrated. These drinks can damage your teeth, so if you drink them, be sure to rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth afterwards.
- Add a few drops of lemon juice to promote saliva flow.
Avoid smoking and caffeine. These two substances are the most damaging to teeth. Caffeine is highly acidic and can damage tooth enamel, allowing bacteria to enter the pores of teeth and cause white spots and other cavities. Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause plaque and tartar to accumulate on your teeth, expanding the damaged area and forming more white spots.
- Tobacco and caffeine can also stain teeth, and if your enamel becomes yellow, existing white spots will only become more noticeable.
Tips
- Even if you plan to use home remedies to remove white spots, discuss appropriate treatment options with your dentist first. The effectiveness of most home remedies has not been confirmed by the professional medical community, and if you have other oral problems, they may cause greater harm.