Streaks And Spots On Your Teeth? How To Fix These Anomalies
Teeth, just like the rest of you, can develop some anomalies, especially in color. Streaks and spots are just some of these anomalies. Your cosmetic dentist can help, but first it helps to know the what and why of these spots and streaks.
Spots
It would almost be funny if it were not so embarrassing. Teeth with spots? Yet, many Americans have this very problem. The spots can be white, brown, or yellow, and to varying degrees.
- White spots indicate fluorosis, meaning you have too much flouride in your body, or that your teeth have been exposed to too much fluoride.
- Yellow spots indicate the start of decay, or that you have celiac disease (a severe wheat allergy).
- Brown spots can also be celiac disease or the advancement of decay. Only your dentist can tell for sure.
- Black spots are also possible, but these only indicate the final stages of decay. If you see black spots forming, see a dentist immediately.
Decay is treatable, and it can be hidden with veneers and teeth whitening after the cavities have been treated. Celiac-related spots on your teeth cannot be treated; they are par for the course with the disease. However, your cosmetic dentist can still hide these spots with veneers. As for the black spots, the surest sign of decay, your dentist can fill them with a tooth-colored enamel after removing all of the decay. It will be as though they were never there.
Streaks
Streaks also have their own colors. Most of the time, it will be shades of yellow or brown. The streaks appear as something other than the previously-mentioned diseases. Usually, it is because you are a heavy smoker, heavy coffee/tea drinker, and/or you chew a lot of tobacco. As long as there are no signs of decay or cancer of the gums, your dentist can use professional whitening supplies on your teeth. It may not remove all of the streaky-ness, but it should remove enough to dramatically improve your smile.
Sometimes the streaks appear because the enamel on your teeth has weakened. In this situation, it will be up to your dentist whether or not teeth whitening is advisable. If the risk of ruining your teeth is minimal, your dentist will sum up the possible outcomes of whitening teeth in this condition. If the enamel is so filled with holes on a microscopic level that whitening would cause serious damage, your cosmetic dentist may suggest veneers instead.
Get in touch with a business like Fresh Wave Dental Care PC to learn more.