Usually, people are happy to have white teeth, but they’re a lot less pleased by glazed or chalky-looking white spots. At Southern Cross Dental in Colorado Springs, we can assist patients with this issue and hope they will come to see us because a white spot is the first sign of a developing lesion.
Glazed white spots on teeth are caused by acid damaging the enamel. This can be observed on the upper back molars of people who frequently suffer from acid reflux. Elsewhere in the mouth, they are likely to be caused by bacterial infection. As bacteria feeds, it secretes acid which gets stuck to the teeth. As the decay progresses, the white spot will eventually become a caries or cavity. This is most likely to occur near the gum line, on the sides of the teeth, or anywhere else that is difficult to brush, such as near an orthodontic bracket.
It can take as few as thirty days for a white spot to form. Their appearance is an immediate sign that a patient needs to improve their brushing or be left with scared teeth. We can assess whether a white spot still has an active infection. If not, we may be able to provide mineralization therapy or cover the spot with bonding or a veneer.
Drs. Navid and Faranak Rahimpour operate Southern Cross Dental at 1855 S Nevada Ave, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80905-2516. To schedule an appointment, call 719-471-1717 or visit Southern Cross Family Dentistry and fill out a contact sheet.
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