If you or someone you know suffers from hypomineralization, the signs are unmistakable. You’ll see white, calcified-looking spots on your teeth, giving your mouth a spotty-looking appearance. While there are a few different causes that lead to hypomineralization, don’t assume that you’ll never be able to get rid of white spots on your teeth. If you visit your nearest Richmond area dentistry clinic, you’re likely to find a ton of options on how to curb the effects of hypomineralization and prevent the condition from coming back. Learning about different ways to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible is a great place to begin, but if you’re serious about combatting hypomineralization and getting your smile back to its healthy, beautiful-looking state, you’ll need to take things into your own hands. If you don’t want to feel self-conscious about your smile anymore, you’re in luck. There are many different ways you can get rid of hypomineralization through dental treatments and prevention tips. If you don’t know where to start, here are a few tips and treatments to familiarize yourself with.

Bleaching

In the past, bleaching treatments were more common for getting rid of hypomineralization. Since the condition is caused by too much access to fluoride either in toothpaste or in your city’s water supply, the use of bleaching agents can be used to even out the appearance of the tooth. Another option was to use filling and microabrasion to actually shave off and recreate the surface of the tooth. However, since microabrasion can end up shaving down a tooth’s enamel and creating sensitivity issues, other forms of treatment have since come into vogue. Rather than use a bleaching procedure that simply masks the problem, modern dentistry attempts to address the issue and find a more long-term solution. For instance, if you’re experiencing hypomineralization or hypocalcification due to wearing braces and not brushing thoroughly, or if you’re losing mineral content in your teeth, the wiser route to take would be preventative action paired with topical paste or remineralizing formula. Rather than risk tooth decay later on in life, getting a treatment that fixes the appearance of teeth while upping mineral content will protect your teeth while restoring your smile.

Resin Infiltration

One of the most popular procedures for helping teeth stay protected from decay is resin infiltration. This is a process by which your tooth’s pores are opened and filled with resin to correct the appearance of the white spots. While the thought of opening the pores of each tooth might seem like a serious undertaking, the procedure is far from invasive. Patients don’t have to “go under”anesthesia, and the entire procedure shouldn’t take longer than 20 minutes, the average time of a routine tooth cleaning. The resin inserted into your teeth will also form a protective barrier that helps to keep teeth strong while fighting decay.

Topical Therapy

For patients who are afraid of getting cavities, topical remineralization treatment provides a perfect way to strengthen teeth against disease and decay. Much like the resin infiltration procedure, topical remineralization treatment infiltrates smaller porous areas of each tooth to even out the color and protect against decay. Rather than having to deal with the look of white spots, you can a topical fluoride foam or gel to gradually fill in the pores of your teeth to create a dazzling white smile. However, these treatments are most effective when used with the right preventative care. That means staying away from too much fluoride consumption or exposure, flossing with care, and learning to brush properly. Topical treatments can be found over the counter, but there are also plenty of prescription products you can ask your dentist about. If you have white spots on your teeth or white spots that are gradually turning brown, you should speak to your dentist about the best way to go about treatment. Since too much fluoride exposure can end up turning your white spots brown over time, you want to use the right mouthwash and toothpaste for the job. This doesn’t mean cutting out fluoride completely: All you need to do is limit your exposure by avoiding the high-content fluoride toothpaste that’s generally sold in stores.

Pastes

If you don’t want to deal with gel, foam, or mess, you can also purchase special paste to use at home. These corrective toothpastes come packed with CCP-ACP, otherwise known as Casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate, which is a calcium-based product that helps strengthen teeth and renew their appearance. Using CCP-ACP can help increase calcium content in your teeth while also helping to remineralize. These pastes also come with low fluoride content to make sure your teeth don’t develop any new spots during the remineralization process. Over time, you’ll notice your white spots diminishing as your teeth regain a healthy, blemish-free appearance. If you need something stronger, you can always ask your doctor about a higher-content CCP-ACP prescription toothpaste. Certain brands also carry toothpaste aimed at patients look to remineralize their teeth without oversensitizing them.

Prevention

As with many tooth-related issues, the problems of decay and discoloration can easily be prevented through a combination of diet, brushing, flossing, and awareness. For kids with braces, learning the correct maintenance can be a huge help in terms of preventing white spots and discoloration. Even though it can be difficult to thoroughly floss with braces, there are stringless options that make it easier to get into hard-to-reach areas and clear out plaque. Orthodontists can also predict whether or not a patient is at high risk for hypomineralization and may be able to offer helpful tips for prevention. In general, being conscientious about flossing after meals and brushing twice a day can go a long way toward preventing white spots. Staying away from sugary foods is also a huge help. If you’re someone who drinks a lot of soda and snacks on a lot of foods with high sugar content, you could be flooding your mouth with plaque-causing particles daily. If you want to learn about better preventative oral health, speak to your family dentist at your next cleaning.