Calcium Deposits
What are they? How are they caused? How can I get rid of them?
Can I prevent them?
What Are Calcium Deposits
Enamel Hypo calcification (a.k.a. Calcium deposits, streaks, spots etc.) is a defect of the tooth enamel in which normal amount of enamel is produced but is hypo-mineralized. Calcium deposits are the areas of your tooth that contain hypo-calcified enamel.
What Causes Calcium Deposits
The deposition of calcium starts in the developmental stage of the teeth. When the tooth is growing, an excessive amount of calcium escapes and can result in white spots on the enamel. While a specific reason for the absorption of excess calcium in the developmental stage cannot be explained, it is clear that dietary intake of calcium does not have a great influence in its deposition on the teeth.
- Fluorosis is one on the most common causes of white spots on teeth. This condition occurs when excessive amounts of fluoride become ingested while the teeth are still forming. While fluoride is considered good for our teeth, consuming large amounts can cause white spots. To avoid Fluorosis, limit your intake of fluoridated water, don’t eat or swallow toothpaste and avoid supplements with fluoride.
- Enamel Demineralization is superficial damage that dissolves the surface enamel of the tooth. It takes place when plaque sits for extended periods of time on your teeth. Plaque forms when the enamel becomes regularly exposed to acids found in food and beverages. The other reason for formation of calcium deposits on the teeth is the continuous deposition of minerals from our saliva to already formed plaque on the surface of the teeth. Normally if the calcium deposits on the teeth are superficial their removal is not very difficult. It’s best to prevent the formation of calcium deposits in the first place. If you follow a good dental hygiene, it is possible to prevent calcium deposits. Brush your teeth at least three times a day and regularly floss your teeth. The reason behind brushing the teeth is to keep them smooth so that minerals from the saliva cannot get stuck on the enamel.
- Enamel Hypoplasia is white spots on the tooth that may appear due to mineral loss. This condition can result from a variety of events, like nutritional deficiencies, high fever, side effects of some antibiotics, premature births and prenatal smoking.
Many other factors can also contribute to creating white spots on teeth:
- Dry Mouth – a dry mouth holds bacteria, and the acid from said bacteria can harm your teeth, eventually causing white spots.
- Acidic Foods – Sour foods like candy, lemons and vinegar can be a reason for getting white spots on our teeth. Foods are high in acidic levels can disrupt the enamel and cause white spots.
- Poor Oral Hygiene – Proper oral hygiene is so important! With good cleaning habits, like regular brushing and flossing, you prevent plaque from building up. Plaque mainly consists of sugar and starch, and bacteria in the mouth feed off of it, producing acid that can leave white spots.
- Teeth Whitening Strips – Teeth whitening strips are very popular for their whitening properties but be careful, many contain high acidic levels which can disrupt the enamel and increase the chance of getting white spots.
- Braces – In this case, braces are not exactly the problem. Poor oral hygiene is what causes the white spots. When wearing braces, it’s much more difficult to clean thoroughly every part of each tooth.
How Do I Get Rid of White Spots on My Teeth?
Everybody’s goal is to have a beautiful smile, and white spots might be an impediment to achieving your perfect smile. There are certain procedures that can be done to remove them.
- Micro abrasion – This type of procedure is done by a dentist and involves removing a thin layer of surface enamel to improve the appearance of the teeth.
- Dental Bleaching – Teeth whitening or bleaching as it is referred to will help remove white spots from the teeth and also balances the color and tone of your tooth enamel. A plus side to professional teeth whitening done as an in-office treatment is that it is a very cost effective dental treatment to improve your smile. They are generally whiter in color so when teeth whitening these areas may appear to whiten faster than the rest of the tooth anatomy but will then fade within a few days as the teeth rehydrate. The calcium deposits on your teeth aren’t caused by the teeth whitening process. In fact, they were there before your teeth were whitened, but not as noticeable because stains were covering them.
- Porcelain Veneers – For stains on the teeth that cannot be treated by bleaching or micro abrasion, veneers are a great option. Veneers are thin, and custom made laminates fabricated from ceramic materials. They get bonded to the front of the teeth, improving their appearance by changing color, shape, size or length.
How to Prevent White Spots on My Teeth?
There are certain steps you can follow to avoid white stains from appearing on your teeth:
-
- Proper dental hygiene – commit to a regular routine that includes brushing and flossing at least twice a day and visiting your dentist every 6 months.
- Limit acidic foods and beverages – foods and drinks with a high acidic level can cause damage to your enamel. Also, some other foods may increase acidic levels and dry mouth, leading to more bacteria growing within your teeth. Sugary and carbonated drinks are the ones that cause most harm.
- Consume foods rich in minerals – by eating foods with high mineral levels, you help to re-mineralize your teeth. Try to increase your Vitamin D intake, as well as calcium and magnesium. These nutrients help the body absorb and retain nutrients. Obtain calcium from foods like milk, cheese and yogurt. Magnesium-rich foods include dark leafy greens, nuts, fish and seeds.
- Drink Water – one of the best ways to prevent white spots or any stains on your teeth is by drinking water. Staying hydrated is best for our entire body so it’s no wonder it helps our dental wellbeing. If our mouths aren’t properly hydrated, saliva production slows down. There’s not enough to balance our PH levels, allowing bacteria to grow and attack the teeth with acid. Be sure to stay hydrated by drinking just plain water.
Don’t let white spots on your teeth ruin your perfect smile! Call Smiling Bright now and we can help!