Braces can do some amazing things. They help with overbites, under bites, crooked teeth, speech impediments and more. But after 12 months of fixing your smile, the last thing you want to see is a white spot on your tooth after they’re removed.
What are white spots on your teeth?
The white spots on your teeth are locations where the minerals in your teeth have been worn down or removed. This process is known as demineralization or decalcification. What is left is an area that’s white than the rest of the tooth.
What causes white spots?
Do you notice white spots on your teeth after you got your braces removed? This is normally caused by a buildup of plaque on the surface of your teeth. The plaque eventually starts to break down and remove the essential minerals your teeth need to stay healthy.
How can you get rid of them?
- White spots are usually permanent, but they can fade over time!
- Practice good oral hygiene.
- Tooth whitening.
- Re-mineralisation (applying creams to your teeth for a certain period of time).
- Composite restoration (dental procedure that applies resin to the white spots).
- Microabrasion (rubs a mixture of fine particles to polish down the enamel).
How can you prevent them?
Braces can be extra challenging to keep clean because the brackets and wires are usually in the way of your toothbrush and floss. This is why orthodontists stress the importance of keeping up with your daily oral routine and yearly dental check ups. If you’re having difficulty flossing with braces, try using a floss threader or a water flosser — these tools can get to hard-to-reach places that we can’t get to on our own.