Can white spots on teeth be reversed? Can they be prevented from turning into cavities?
I've had some white spots on my teeth (that my dentist has made me aware of) for about two weeks now. I have three small white spots, but one of them has become sensitive to anything cold or carbonated beverages. I'm due to have my braces off in a few months after having them for two years, and this is the first time I've had any problems. My dentist didn't jump to give me fillings, and wanted to wait on x-rays until I was out of braces. However, I was told by my orthodontist that to correct the problem, I will need to have some brackets temporarily removed so that my dentist can give me fillings.
I have been using MI paste provided by my dentist and have been rinsing my mouth out with fluoride-enhanced mouthwash in the hopes of trying to save my teeth and re-calcify them (I'm assuming that the one tooth that has become sensitive has lost its enamel; I don't remember if that's what the orthodontist said). But, at this point, my orthodontist and my dentist are planning to give me fillings in the coming weeks (eek).
Not really wanting to opt for fillings just yet, I've been doing some research on trying to fix the white spots, and am unsure as to why I need fillings if, by definition, they are not cavities yet. I am stepping up my brushing and cleaning habits, and I've started cutting a large amount of food and drink out of my diet, mainly sugars and carbonated beverages - things that are most likely to damage my teeth further. I've also gargled with hot salt-water about once a week in the hopes that it will pull bacteria away from the teeth and prevent further breakdown.
Is there anything I can do to try to save the teeth with white spots, preventing them from turning into cavities? Is there anything I can do to actually restore the enamel on my teeth?
I'm not afraid of getting a filling, as I've had one before, but I hate the idea of just giving up and letting the dentist grind down parts of my teeth and filling it with a synthetic paste. If there's anything I can do to avoid this (besides letting my teeth deteriorate, which I'm not to keen on), please let me know.
Questions about using baking soda & peroxide to whiten teeth…?
I am an ex-smoker and a lover of dark sodas (I have a Dr. Pepper addiction) and have recently realized the damage this has done to the color of my teeth. I cannot afford to have them whitened professionally so I started doing some research into at home methods. It seems that a very easy & inexpensive way is to make a paste using baking soda & peroxide. I've read many articles and questions about this but still have unanswered questions.
How often & how long do you do this? I see some places say it is harmful to your enamel to use too often while others basically say it replaces typical brushing with toothpaste twice daily.
Also, if you have any experience with this technique, how soon did you begin to see results?
Will your teeth break?
Gosh, I'm so obsessed with my teeth. I think I have severe enamel erosion, and i have a small black dot on that tooth. On another tooth that I think has severe enamel erosion, I have a bigger cavity. Will my teeth break if they are drilled and filled? Or are there any other solutions?
eating lemons and tooth erosion?
okay, i love to eat lemons with salt.
i don't do it every day, it's usually just once in a while... like maybe 3 or 4 times a month...
but i also make lemonade once in a while (juice of two lemons, honey, water) and i also LOVE grapefruits
everybody keeps telling me to stop eating these things because i'll lose the enamel on my teeth...
my teeth are a tiny bit transparent on the bottom, but they have ALWAYS been like that, since i got my adult teeth, and i never noticed a significant change in them.
i'm a sour fiend, and i love acidic foods...but is eating lemons just a few times a month REALLY going to destroy my teeth?
is there anything i can do before or after eating them to protect my teeth?
(aside from getting enamel toothpastes)
i have a tooth with gumline erosion?
i have a tooth with erosion all along the gumline bottom of the enamel ,,,,can a dentist fill it in with composites or? i dont want a cap because my problems with receding gums and dont have any insurance to deal with the expense of capping or will he agree to pull it if i request it...it is the 2nd molar in back
Will my dentist know I'm bulimic, and will they tell someone?
Well I'm 16, 5'9" and 115 pounds. I'm also bulimic. I've lost track of how many times I've purged, but I'd estimate 30 times in the last few months. I do know the best ways to protect your teeth after, like brushing with a baking powder paste, using fluoride rinse, and not brushing with toothpaste until an hour after vomiting. I'm not stupid, I know that doesn't stop damage, but maybe it'll slow it enough where bulimia isn't completely obvious? If they notice enamel damage to my teeth, will they ask me if I'm bulimic? And if I deny it, will they call my parents and say they suspect me? I drive, so my parents won't be with me. But my mom is good about making me dental appointments every 6 months, so I have no choice but to go.
I appreciate the concern, but I'm not looking for pity or to be told to seek help. All I want to know is if the dentist will see damage, if they will then ask me about it, and if they will talk to my parents even if I deny bulimia.
Is it bad to drink lemon juice after brushing your teeth?
Sooo, it's really good to drink lemon juice every morning. But I think I read somewhere that the lemon juice destroys your enamel because the toothpaste has fluoride or something.
Does anyone know if this is true?
Thanks!
Apart from regular brushing, what else can I do to keep my tooth enamel strong?
I am paranoid about the enamel on my teeth slowly decaying from acid erosion, sugary and and starchy substances. I know regular brushing obviously helps to combat this, but is there anything else that can be done to keep the enamel on my teeth strong, any particular toothpastes that are formulated to do this?
what is the best toothpaste to use when i drink soda because my front teeth are translucent & the dentist?
doesnt want to do anything for them now! says my enamel is fine but when i drink soda they get sensitive and i like my soda!
what is the best toothpaste to build enamel and help treat tooth decay?
I plan to go to the dentist but my appointment is two months away..what an i do to prevent any further damage to my teeth? what can build or strengthen enamel and treat decay? ( it doesn't hae to be toothpaste but it needs to work)