White Spots On Your Teeth Explained by Dr. White

You know those white spots that sometimes appear on teeth? Well we were curious and wanted to know, so we asked Dr. White to explain them. Here are his responses:

What causes white spots on your teeth? Some are developmental, like a flaw in a diamond called an inclusion. Some are related to different minerals absorbed during enamel formation. Some are caused by damage to the cells that produce enamel either by systemic infections and fevers or direct from a baby tooth infection or trauma.

Can they be cavity-related? They can be the initial signs of enamel decalcification caused by the acid produced by plaque.

What about fluoride in your water, can that cause white spots too? How do you know how much fluoride is in your water? Fluoride can also cause enamel discoloration and opacity but not usually the typical white spots. Call the local water provider or the local health department.

Can white spots appear after braces? How can you best prevent that from happening? The white spots after braces are decalcified areas from plaque acid not removed by good hygiene during braces. They can be prevented by good hygiene and fluoride.

What about white spots that appear in the morning and fade as the day progresses, what does that mean? Usually this means mouth breathing causing dehydration of the enamel on the front teeth.

Are white spots on your teeth genetic? Sometimes - see above.

Can nutrition and diet affect the white spots? Early in life yes, after teeth are erupted the changes are to the surface rather than internal.

What are the best ways to prevent these white spots from appearing? Proper fluoride levels in drinking water. Water testing for heavy metals in environment. Knowledge of which antibiotics and other chemicals that can damage developing enamel. And proper hygiene.

If white spots are already present, how are they treated? Recalcification with fluoride, microabrasion of shallow lesions, and restoration by the dentist.

How To Stay Young And Healthy from Dr. White

Whether you’re 5 or 50, your health depends on your awareness of what’s good for you. But in a world filled with fad diets, blaring advertisements, and unintelligible ingredient lists, we at Dr. White's office know it can be difficult to determine exactly what is good for you – and what’s not.

For straightforward guidance on how to live a long, healthy life, we recommend Brush Your Teeth! And Other Simple Ways to Stay Young and Healthy by Dr. David Ostreicher. The book sums up good health in six fundamental principles: hygiene, diet, attitude, exercise, sleep and personal safety.

Drawing on nearly three decades of experience as an orthodontist and professor of health and nutrition, Dr. Ostreicher definitively answers age-old debates, like the best way to prevent colds and flu (your mom was right: wash your hands). He provides straight talk on a variety of diet choices including salt, fats, carbs and organic food, and he documents the importance of regular sleep, stress reduction and positive thinking to your overall health. His suggestions throughout are simple, clear, and inexpensive.

Dr. Ostreicher advocates a back-to-basics, common-sense approach to staying young and healthy. We at Dr. White's couldn’t agree more, and we’d like to repeat the title of his book as our favorite piece of advice: don’t forget to Brush Your Teeth!

Oral Piercing: Is It Worth It? Dr. John White Explains

Piercing, like tattooing, is one of today’s popular forms of “body art” and self-expression. If you’re thinking about getting a piercing – or if you already have one or more – we at Dr. John White's office want to share some health risks you should know about.

Your mouth contains millions of bacteria, and infection is a common complication of oral piercing. Just touching your mouth jewelry (tongue barbells and lip and cheek labrettes) can lead to infection. Many people who have piercings tend to regularly touch them – which is a perfect opportunity for bacteria from hands to enter piercing sites. Also, food particles that collect around piercing sites can lead to infection.

Pain and swelling are other possible side effects of piercing. Your tongue – the most popular piercing site in the mouth – could swell large enough to close off your airway! Piercing also can cause uncontrollable bleeding or nerve damage. Damage to the tongue’s blood vessels can cause serious blood loss.

The hoop, ring, stud, and barbell-shaped jewelry can hinder your ability to talk and eat. Some people also develop a habit of biting or playing with their piercings – which can lead to cracked, scratched teeth; gum damage and recession; and sensitive teeth. There may also be a need for restorations, such as crowns or fillings, and additional dental treatment due to piercings.

Consider the potential pitfalls of piercing carefully before getting one. Keep in mind that it will be an added responsibility to your life, and will need regular upkeep. Make sure that you’re committed to the task of taking care of it for the full healing period and beyond.

If you have an oral piercing, pay special attention to it. Clean the piercing with antiseptic mouthwash after eating, and brush the jewelry when you brush your teeth. Of course, let us know at Dr. John White's office if you have any questions.