White spot lesions are often the end result of wearing braces or retainers for long periods and can be a disheartening outlook for those looking to straighten their smile. However, white spot lesions aren’t necessarily caused by wearing braces but can be caused by factors such as poor brushing technique, insufficient fluoride amounts, high sugar diets, and even genetic factors. White spot lesions are considered an unsightly blemish on a perfectly straightened smile but also represent huge oral health risks if not cared for and treated.
How You Can Work To Prevent White Spot Lesions
One of the biggest drawbacks to getting braces is that braces are often highly susceptible to plaque and tartar. This is often due to how the brackets and wires that place pressure along the dental line can easily gather bacteria from food debris, and our saliva cannot always remove that bacteria completely. White spot lesions are the result of that and are weakened spots of enamel that have been worn down over time due to the presence of bacteria.
However, there are many things that you can do to prevent white spot lesions from occurring in the first place, especially if you are currently wearing braces. These include:
- Having a Strict Brushing Routine: Paying attention to where and how you brush is vitally important because having the right brushing protocol can help you remove as much plaque as possible around the brackets and wires of your braces.
- Flossing Regularly: Flossing regularly with waxed floss and orthodontic floss can help get in between the brackets and wires and clean out areas normally missed.
- Placing Yourself on a Diet: Your diet during these stages is especially important for your oral health, as reducing the amount of sugar and carbs you eat each day can help reduce bacteria growth in your mouth.
How Your Dentist Can Treat White Spot Lesions
In cases where you are experiencing white spot lesions, your dentist can provide you with better measures to treat your lesions and help restrengthen the enamel through treatments, including:
- Regular cleanings: Regular cleanings from your dentist can help prevent the onset of white spot lesions from becoming cavities by cleaning out any remaining bacteria leftover from your mouth.
- Fluoride treatments: Fluoride treatments help restrengthen the enamel by infusing the enamel with fluoride. Fluoride, in these cases, bonds with the bone’s chemical compounds and infuses it with the strength needed to prevent cavities.
- Enamel bonding: To be able to correct the problem in the first place, enamel bonding procedures can use composite resin to reform the teeth and make them appear natural and beautiful.
If you’ve noticed that you’ve developed white spot lesions during your time wearing braces, your dentist can help you get your teeth back in shape through their own treatments and oral health tips for keeping your teeth clean. The best resource to learn more about white spot lesions is through your dentist, so schedule an appointment with them today!
