How to Get Rid of White Spots on Teeth at Home

Maybe you found them as an unpleasant surprise after having your braces removed. Maybe they developed over time, beginning so slowly you didn’t even notice them at first. Maybe you’ve noticed that your new medication’s harmless sounding side effect–dry mouth–hasn’t been all that harmless, bringing with it white spots and maybe a few cavities. However they started, you now have white spots on your teeth and you want them gone.

But, you have done some quick googling, and you don’t feel that microabrasion or veneers are the right choice for you. What you really want is to fight those white spots at the same place where they first developed, right at home.

Step 1: Know Thy Enemy

What are white spots that emerge on the permanent teeth after braces or over time? They are areas of mineral loss.

Your teeth are covered in enamel. That enamel, the hardest substance the human body makes, is built up of minerals. Those minerals are basically the same minerals that make up bones, so a lot of the mineral surface is a type of calcium called hydroxyapatite.

When acids build up in your mouth, the acid can dissolve minerals from the enamel, leaving rough, dull weak spots in the tooth surface. They appear whiter than the surrounding tooth surface. They also are more likely to develop into full cavities since they are weakened by the missing minerals. Because they are weak spots, treating white spots is more than a cosmetic improvement, it’s a health improvement as well.

Step 2: Step Up Your Oral Care Game

You won’t be able to effectively treat white spots if they are still developing or worsening. It’s important to make sure your oral care routine is at peak performance so you can treat your white spots. Plaque builds up when bacteria overgrows. The bacteria that overgrow thrive in an acid environment, which can dissolve minerals out of the enamel. Brushing and flossing well are important tools in the fight against plaque overgrowth.

Dry mouth also is dangerous to enamel health. Saliva protects the teeth, washing away particles that grow bacteria and holding minerals near the tooth surface so they can redeposit when pH is high enough. A lack of saliva leaves the teeth unprotected, so treating dry mouth is vital for treating white spots, too.

Step 3: Return What Was Lost

You need to return the lost minerals to the tooth surface to replace the missing minerals that cause the visible white spot. To do this, use a product containing minerals in a form that the body can directly incorporate. CariFree products contain bioavailable (ready to use) nano hydroxyapatite, and they are formulated to raise oral pH, which allows the enamel to incorporate the minerals. Using CariFree tooth gel twice a day every day and using a CariFree rinse after meals and with brushing allows your teeth recapture lost minerals, treating the white spot by treating the cause.

Step 4: Blend if Necessary

Remineralizing the tooth surface can take some time. For cosmetic appearance while you are treating, you can try at home whitening products. It may lessen the color difference, but it will not add strength back to the tooth surface, so it’s important to continue with a remineralizing plan until the tooth surface is returned to health. Whitening can increase sensitivity, and CariFree tooth gel can help minimize whitening sensitivity.

Step 5: Prevent! Prevent! Prevent!

Most importantly, once you have remineralized your teeth, you want to keep them strong, healthy, and white spot free. Keep up with careful brushing, treat dry mouth, and check in with your dentist regularly to catch issues before they develop into problems.