Enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth. While it naturally erodes over time, it can also suffer certain damages that can lead to the appearance of white spots. Dental fluorosis is a condition that results from excessive exposure to fluoride. This leads to porosity and decalcification of the enamel over several months or years . The accumulation of dental plaque is also a factor in the appearance of white spots, as the enamel is subject to acid attacks from bacteria present in the plaque. This appears particularly after wearing orthodontic appliances . Minor stains can be treated, but they must be taken care of quickly, otherwise they risk becoming worse. There are several solutions for removing white spots on teeth, but it is also important to prevent them from forming.
Treating white spots with natural remedies
Make a remineralizing toothpaste. There are toothpastes specially designed to remineralize teeth and sold in pharmacies or drugstores. However, you can make your own toothpaste. Most recipes include calcium carbonate to remineralize enamel, sodium bicarbonate for its abrasive and whitening power, clay for its remineralizing and sanitizing properties, or salt for its antibacterial properties . For flavor, add mint essential oil or powdered xylitol, a sugar that helps prevent cavities .
- In a bowl, mix five tablespoons of calcium carbonate, two tablespoons of sodium bicarbonate, and one tablespoon of diatomaceous earth. This is a mild abrasive that sanitizes, disinfects, and removes limescale You can add three tablespoons of xylitol powder.
- Then add coconut oil until a paste forms. To control the consistency of your toothpaste, add the oil little by little. Generally, three to five tablespoons is enough.
- You can enhance your toothpaste with essential oil . Enjoy the benefits of peppermint, lemon, or cinnamon essential oils. Be sure to handle them with care.
- Brush your teeth with your toothpaste two to three times a day. You can store it for several weeks in a tightly resealable container.
Create a remineralizing powder. To do this, get some bentonite clay. Due to its richness in minerals such as calcium, magnesium and silica, this clay has whitening and detoxifying properties In addition, it reduces acidity in the mouth.
- To make your powder, combine four tablespoons of bentonite clay, three tablespoons of calcium carbonate, one tablespoon of ground cinnamon, one teaspoon of ground cloves, one tablespoon of xylitol powder, and one tablespoon of baking soda. Cloves and cinnamon have antibacterial properties. They also help flavor your powder, making the use of xylitol optional.
- To make your powder taste better, add two teaspoons of mint leaves. You can also add two to four drops of spearmint, peppermint, or cinnamon essential oil .
- Store your powder in a resealable container. To apply, take a small amount on your finger or brush and rub it on your teeth. Repeat this two to three times a day.
Rinse your mouth with green tea. Many homeopathic remedies contain green tea, as it is known to have beneficial effects on the health of teeth and mouth . Green tea, rich in minerals and vitamins, helps remineralize enamel. Thanks to its fluoride content, it also prevents the formation of tartar and cavities. Finally, green tea contains catechins, which have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. To get the most out of green tea, it should be prepared correctly .
- Steep one green tea bag in 500 ml of hot water for about five minutes.
- Let the tea cool for a few minutes. Take a sip and swish the tea around in your mouth for about a minute. Repeat until you finish your drink.
- Repeat the process two to four times a day.
Try oil rinsing. This ancient Indian technique involves cleaning teeth and gums with oil. This method is also said to whiten teeth, prevent dry mouth, remineralize enamel, and strengthen teeth and gums. It is recommended to do this mouthwash in the morning upon waking or in the evening before going to bed .
- Take a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil. Choose organic oils.
- Swish the oil over your teeth and gums for one to two minutes. Once you get used to the technique, you can keep the oil in your mouth longer. Increase the treatment time to up to twenty minutes per bath.
- At the end of the mouthwash, spit out the oil and rinse your mouth with warm water.
- Brush your teeth with your remineralizing toothpaste or powder.
Apply lemon juice to your teeth. The acidity of lemon removes plaque and maintains the acid-base balance in the mouth . However, you should not overuse it, as you risk having the opposite effect and weakening your tooth enamel
- Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and gently apply it to your teeth. Avoid commercially sold juices, as they contain added sugars and other harmful substances. Instead, use the juice of a freshly squeezed organic lemon.
Remove stains with treatment
Undergo a teeth whitening treatment. If your teeth are too damaged, it is best to visit a dentist. After studying the condition of your enamel, he or she will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment to remove the white spots. If the stains are minor, applying a fluoride varnish may be sufficient. For larger stains, abrasion may be necessary to remove the damaged area and strengthen the tooth
Learn about compressed air abrasion. Also called air abrasion , this technique is a recent use in the dental field. It consists of spraying particles of aluminum oxide and silica onto the cavities or stains to be removed. This technique is less invasive and more respectful of the enamel than microabrasion .
- The particles are sprayed using a jet of compressed air directly onto the area to be treated. The area is then sealed to strengthen the tooth. The adjacent areas are protected with rubber.
Consider enamel microabrasion. This dual physical and chemical treatment aims to remove the most superficial part of the enamel. A paste combining erosive elements such as hydrochloric acid and abrasive particles is applied to the area to be treated using specialized tools. Rubbing the paste on the tooth removes the damaged enamel .
- After the microabrasion procedure, the dentist applies a fluoride gel to the treated area. This helps seal and strengthen the enamel
Treat your teeth with a resin injection. This is a relatively new technique that involves filling the damaged tooth with a special resin. A preliminary step of applying acid makes the enamel more porous to facilitate the absorption of the resin. After about twenty minutes, the color of the tooth is uniform and the stains are no longer visible. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, the resin injection helps strengthen the tooth and prevent the appearance of cavities. For an optimal appearance, two to three sessions may be necessary
Apply topical remineralizing treatments. Applying small amounts of fluoride directly to the enamel can effectively remineralize it. Choose fluoride toothpastes, gels, or mouthwashes. Chewing gums containing xylitol and fluoride derivatives can also help limit enamel demineralization. In addition, chewing activates saliva secretion, which also helps protect enamel .
- Depending on the strength of your enamel, your dentist may apply a fluoride varnish directly to the tooth.
- Remineralizing products primarily contain fluoride, but other recently discovered molecules exist. For example, casein phosphopeptide (CCP) is combined with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to increase the enamel's ability to absorb calcium.
Prevent the formation of white spots
Maintain good oral hygiene. White spots are a sign of weakened enamel. To prevent them, it's essential to brush and floss your teeth thoroughly. This limits tartar buildup, prevents bacterial growth, and helps maintain enamel strength.
- Brush your teeth in the morning, at noon and in the evening.
- Check the fluoride content of your toothpaste. For an adult, it should contain between 1,000 and 1,500 ppm (or 100 to 150 mg per 100 g of toothpaste) .
- Floss every night. If necessary, use pre - cut floss.
- Schedule a dental appointment every six to twelve months. If necessary, your dentist will perform a deep cleaning of your teeth. Removing plaque helps prevent the appearance of white spots.
Avoid foods that are harmful to your teeth. Many foods cause acid attacks on the enamel. In addition, they can dry out and acidify the mouth, increasing the risk of bacterial growth.
- Avoid foods high in added sugars such as soda or candy.
- Limit your sugar intake. To sweeten your dishes, opt for alternatives such as honey or maple syrup. However, be careful not to overdo it.
- If you eat foods high in sugar, remember to brush your teeth afterward.
Increase your mineral intake. Certain foods can help remineralize your enamel.
- Dairy products, rich in calcium and vitamin D, are good for protecting tooth enamel. However, as with all foods, they should not be overused.
- Eat foods rich in magnesium, as it helps the body absorb and retain calcium. For example, green leafy vegetables, nuts, seeds, fish , soybeans, and avocados are rich in magnesium .
Drink water. When your mouth is dry, you produce less saliva. However, saliva neutralizes acids, prevents corrosion of tooth enamel, and balances the pH of your mouth to limit the growth of bacteria.
- Drink at least eight glasses of water a day. As mentioned above, avoid carbonated and sugary drinks. Processed fruit juices and sodas are particularly harmful to the health of your teeth. If you consume them, remember to rinse your mouth with water.
Avoid coffee and tobacco . Coffee causes acid attacks that permanently damage tooth enamel. Tobacco and chewing nicotine products increase the risk of plaque and tartar buildup.
- Besides white spots due to enamel erosion, coffee and tobacco are also known to cause brown stains on teeth.
Warnings
- If your stains are severe, talk to your dentist. Home remedies are not without risks, and it's best to seek professional advice.
- While fluoride helps maintain strong enamel, excessive consumption can have the opposite effect. Since there are many sources of fluoride, be sure to monitor your intake.
- Whitening teeth is a growing trend. However, the substances in whitening products tend to weaken the enamel and make it more porous.
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Dentistry