White spots on the teeth: A guide to causes, treatment, and prevention

7 causes of white stains on teeth

There are 7 main causes of white stains on teeth, most of which are out of your control – so don’t panic too much if you’ve found a new white spot on your teeth. If you’ve found yourself wondering, “Why do I have white spots on my teeth” then this section is for you. Here are the 7 main causes of white dots on teeth:

1. Dental plaque and bacteria.² A significant level of dental plaque accumulation, built-up due to poor oral hygiene; can begin to erode the tooth enamel and cause white or yellow stains to appear on your teeth.
   
   
2.  Cavities.³ You may think that cavities are always black, but this is not the case. At the first stage of a cavity, when bacterial degradation occurs, yellowish or white spots can appear. Without treatment as the cavity worsens, the staining and color becomes darker.
   
   
3.  Fluorosis.⁴ This pathology is responsible for the appearance of white spots on your front teeth. Fluoride can help to prevent tooth decay, and in the correct amount also aids in the development of teeth in children. However, an excessive supply of fluoride can cause a change in the appearance of tooth enamel. 
   
   
4.  Enamel hypoplasia.⁵ This disturbance during teeth formation can result in white dots on teeth, as well as weakening the enamel which will end up more vulnerable to cavities. These are the main reasons hypoplasia occurs and causes white patches on teeth: 
   
   • Smoking during pregnancy
   • Taking antibiotics from the tetracyclines family during pregnancy
   • Premature birth
   • Infant malnutrition
   • Congenital malformation
   • Vitamins A, C and D deficiency
   
   
5. Diet. Excessive consumption of acidic and sugary foods such as candy, fruit juice and alcohol can lead to enamel damage and cause white spot lesions on teeth. Additionally, food that leads to acid reflux can also result in white staining as the acid breaks down the enamel. Improper oral hygiene after consuming these items is a leading cause of not only staining but also cavities and tooth sensitivity.  
   
   
6.  Dry mouth. Whether it’s simply because you slept with your mouth open, or you are going through treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, dry mouth is a common condition.⁶ With less saliva your teeth become dehydrated which can lead to white dots on your teeth.
   
   
7. Orthodontics. Sadly, no matter how well you take care of your oral health when you have braces and other dental apparatus fitted, calcium deposits on teeth are a common complication.⁷
   
   

Tip: Calcium deficiency, contrary to common beliefs, has nothing to do with white stains, whether they’re on your teeth or nails! The above 7 causes are the main culprits of the white stuff on teeth.